Taíno Civilization: The Islanders Who First Encountered Columbus and the Caribbean's Lost Kingdoms

The origins of the Taíno people trace back thousands of years to the migrations of Arawakan-speaking groups from South America. Anthropologists and archaeologists believe that the ancestors of the Taíno first emerged in the Orinoco River basin, in what is now Venezuela, before gradually expanding into the Caribbean. These early settlers, known as the Saladoid culture, navigated the waterways of the Caribbean in dugout canoes, moving from the mainland to the Lesser Antilles and eventually reaching the Greater Antilles, where they established permanent settlements.

As they adapted to their new island environments, these early migrants developed a distinct culture that would later be recognized as the Taíno civilization. Over generations, they refined agricultural techniques suited to the tropical climate, cultivating staple crops like cassava, maize, and sweet potatoes. Their knowledge of fishing, hunting, and foraging allowed them to thrive in the diverse ecosystems of the Caribbean, from coastal regions to inland forests.

By the time Europeans arrived in the late 15th century, the Taíno were the dominant indigenous group across the islands of Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, eastern Cuba, and the Bahamas. Their society had evolved into a structured and hierarchical system led by caciques, or chiefs, who governed villages known as yucayeques. These settlements varied in size, with some growing into major centers of trade, religion, and politics. The Taíno also developed a rich spiritual belief system centered around ancestor worship and nature deities, a tradition that can be traced back to their South American roots.

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