AY Honors/Taíno Culture/Answer Key
1. Do the following:
b. Visit a museum or indigenous settlement where different aspects of the Taíno culture are exhibited, or see an exhibition with objects from the Taíno culture. Discuss with your group what interested you the most and why.
You can visit the Caguana Ceremonial Ball Courts Site in Utuado, the Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Center in Ponce, the Indigenous Museum in the Science Park of Bayamón, the Las Américas museum in the Ballajá Barracks of Old San Juan, and others that have extensive representation of the Taíno culture.
2. Define at least 10 of the following words:
● Archaics
It means "the oldest" in reference to the first indigenous people who inhabited the island of Puerto Rico hundreds of years ago. After the archaics, the Taíno culture was established.
● Yucayeque
Name that was given to the villages. It was a community of huts; a Taíno aboriginal home.
● Cacique
Chief of the yucayeque.
● Caney
The house of the cacique.
● Conucos
Farm or area dedicated to agriculture.
● Guanín
Medallion or special adornment worn by the cacique on his chest.
● Bija
Name of the annatto plant used for coloring.
● Nagua
Small skirt for the married Taíno women.
● Areyto
Religious holiday or feast of the village.
● Nitaínos
Warriors, distinguished class with leadership roles.
● Bohíque
Priest and healer.
● Naborias
This was the working class.
● Guasábaras
Indigenous wars.
● Coatí
Dog that can't bark.
● Taínos
An extinct Arawak people formerly inhabiting the Greater Antilles and the Bahamas. The word "taíno" meant "noble, lord."
3. Mention 10 typical foods of the Taínos.
| Mamey | Papaya | Tamarind | Soursop |
| Cassava | Sweet potato | Peanuts | Corn |
| Frogs | Fish and sea turtles | Iguana meat | Hutias (a species of squirrel) |
| Pineapple | Guava | Chili pepper | Blue land crabs |
4. Mention the names of five caciques.
Some caciques were:
5. Mention five physical characteristics of the Taínos.
- Dark, elongated eyes
- Wide, flattened nose
- Copper-colored skin
- Short
- Stocky and well-built body.
- Straight, black hair
- They had no beard or mustache
A petroglyph is a drawing made in stone that represents the images of their gods or their beliefs. Below are some examples from the Taíno culture.
You can find more symbols here.
7. Mention four materials they used for their housework.
- Guayo: grater made of palms and stones to grate
- Burén: Large clay plate for cooking cassava
- Guariquitén: Clay container to knead the cassava
- Dujo: Throne or special seat of the caciques
8. Mention two religious beliefs of the Taínos.
- They believed in many gods, they were polytheists
- The ceremonies were conducted by a bohíque (priest or shaman)
- Its main god was "Yocahú", a protector god who lived in "turey" (heaven)
- They represented other minor gods through "zemis"
- In many of the "zemies" they placed pieces of bones of famous warriors or chieftains
- They believed in evil gods like "Juracán", god of the cyclone winds
- They believed that people got sick from the presence of evil spirits
- They believed in life after death; when someone died, they placed pots of water and food, and personal items on the grave, to use in the afterlife
- When the chief died, he was given a very special burial, and his favorite wife was buried alive next to the chief; this act was considered an honor
9. Which of the Taino religious beliefs are practiced today?
Review the beliefs and comment on them. It can enhance the reality that the concept of "god" has reached all parts of the world. Religious life is part of social and family life. When there are no noble guidelines and principles, religion takes human forms, full of superstitions as in indigenous cultures. Christianity is based on the love of God - The Creator, His mercy and forgiveness, and His hope in a new life. Many of these concepts are found in indigenous beliefs: hope, life after death, reward in the hereafter, and faith in rituals, among others.
10. Name 10 Taíno words that are still used.
In much of the Caribbean Spanish lingo, these words are still used:
| Hamaca | Macana | Juey | Batea | Barbacoa |
| Cabuya | Güiro | Bohío | Camuy | Yuagua |
| Yagua | Taíno | Batey | Canoa | Yuca |
| Jíbaro | Tereque | Guarapo | Maraca | Guayo |
| Iguana | Sabana | Enagua | Chin |
