Here’s a clear breakdown:

Who were the Taíno?

The Taíno were the Indigenous inhabitants of islands such as:

• Hispaniola (modern-day Haiti & Dominican Republic)

• Puerto Rico

• Cuba

• Jamaica

• The Bahamas

They were part of the larger Arawakan-speaking peoples who migrated from South America centuries earlier.

Taíno Culture

• Lived in villages led by chiefs called caciques

• Farmed crops like cassava (yuca), maize (corn), sweet potatoes

• Fished and hunted

• Built homes called bohíos

• Played a ceremonial ball game called batey

• Had a spiritual system that included gods/spirits called zemís

After European Contact

When Columbus arrived, the Taíno were the first Indigenous group he encountered. After Spanish colonization:

• Many Taíno were enslaved

• Large numbers died from disease, forced labor, and violence

• Their population drastically declined

However, Taíno people did not completely disappear. Many Caribbean people today—especially in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic—have Taíno ancestry, and there has been a strong cultural revival movement.

Words You Might Know from Taíno

Several English and Spanish words come from Taíno, including:

• Hurricane

• Barbecue

• Canoe

• Hammock

• Tobacco

If you’d like, I can also explain Taíno religion, language, daily life, or modern Taíno identity in more detail.