Download Social Structure of the Tainos p. 150

The Tainos
Migration and development
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jKp_dKkI-0
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The Taínos inhabited the Greater Antilles from Cuba to the Virgin
Islands after the year 1200.
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They were the most advanced culture in our part of the Caribbean
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Archeologist do not rule the possibility that the Taínos were part of a
new group of Arawaks from Venezuela.
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However, evidence suggested that the Taínos were a result of the
transformation of the Arawks groups that had inhabited our islands
for hundreds of years.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTxkN7UYJ2A
Social Structure of the
Taínos
p. 150
Taíno Social Structure
• Naborias – were the common
people. They farmed, build,
fished, hunted and fought in
wars. Largest social class.
• Bohique – spiritual leader of the
village. In charge of religious
ceremonies. Also acted as
teacher and medicine man.
Considered the guardian of the
history of the Taíno.
• Nitaino – compose of families or
clans that had privileges.
• Lived in bigger huts
• Men married more than one
woman.
• Supervised the storage and
distribution of food.
• In charge of military matters.
• Answered to the cacique
Cacique
• Most powerful member of the
Taino social system.
• Leader of the Yucayeque
• Highest authority in political.
Religious, social, and military
matters.
• Both men and woman could be
caciques.
• Lived in Caney (hut of the
cacique)
Territorial division of Boriquen
Boriquen:
• Divided in cacicazgos.
• Each cicazgos was compose of several yucayeques, or villages.
• Cacicazgos were governed by a main cacique but each yucayeke was
governed by a minor cacique.
• Separated by natural boundaries ( mountains, rivers, forest)
• There were 12-15 cacicazgos on our island when the Spaniards arrived.
Taino houses
Bohios:
• Were huts built of wood, vines, leaves
and woven straw.
• Did not have windows
• Only use for sleep or when sick
• Only furniture was hammocks
• Caciques house
• Called Caney
• Inside had hammocks, and dujo a kind of low chair made of
wood or stone. The Dujo was mainly used in ceremonies.
Batey, Petroglyphs and Batu
• Batey
• Main square of the village
• Rectangular and surrounded by rocks carved with petroglyphs
• Hold religious ceremonies and exchange of products.
• Petroglyphs
• inscriptions made on rocks.
• Represented animals and religious elements.
• Batu p.156
• Ball game play by the Tainos
• Played in the batey
• Polytheist – Culture that believed in many gods.
• Taino believed that gods controlled all of nature’s elements and events.
• Zemis – images of Taino gods made out of stone
or other materials.
• Areytos – Main religious activities of the Tainos.
• Took place in the Batey and were led by the cacique.
• Tainos dance, sang, play instruments, and told stories to
the younger generation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zta5Xi__O7c
• Guanin – gold metal ornament that hung from
the cacique’s chest.
• Batu – a game played by the members of the yucayeque.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guDyXGFYRUw