Tainos of the Caribbean

Tainos

• Indigenous people of the Caribbean, specifically the Greater Antilles (Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas)
• Also known as the Arawak or Island Arawak
• Lived in small villages, with a population of around 1-2 million people
• Spoke the Taino language, which is part of the Arawakan language family
• Practiced agriculture, fishing, and hunting for food
• Had a complex society with a cacique (chief) and a system of governance
• Believed in a spiritual world with multiple gods and goddesses
• Known for their skill in crafting ceramics, wood, and stone

Kalinagos

• Indigenous people of the Lesser Antilles (smaller islands in the Caribbean)
• Also known as the Island Caribs or Kalinago
• Lived in small villages, with a population of around 100,000-200,000 people
• Spoke the Kalinago language, which is part of the Cariban language family
• Practiced agriculture, fishing, and hunting for food
• Had a more egalitarian society compared to the Tainos, with less emphasis on a central authority
• Known for their skill in crafting canoes and navigating the sea
• Had a reputation for being fierce warriors and resisting European colonization

Mayans

• Indigenous people of Mesoamerica (present-day Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras)
• Lived in city-states with a population of around 2-5 million people
• Spoke the Mayan language, which is part of the Mayan language family
• Practiced agriculture, particularly maize (corn), and trade
• Had a complex society with a system of governance, architecture, and astronomy
• Developed a sophisticated writing system, with hieroglyphics and codices
• Known for their skill in mathematics, astronomy, and architecture
• Built temples, palaces, and pyramids, with the most famous being Chichen Itza and Tikal

Indigenous Peoples of the Caribbean and Mesoamerica

Tainos

• Originated from the Greater Antilles, specifically Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas
• Known as the Arawak or Island Arawak, with a population of around 1-2 million people
• Lived in small villages, with a cacique (chief) and a system of governance
• Practiced agriculture, fishing, and hunting for food, with a diet consisting of yuca, sweet potatoes, and seafood
• Skilled craftsmen, with expertise in ceramics, wood, and stone carvings
• Believed in a spiritual world with multiple gods and goddesses, including Yucahu, the god of yuca

Kalinagos

• Inhabited the Lesser Antilles, a chain of smaller islands in the Caribbean
• Also known as the Island Caribs or Kalinago, with a population of around 100,000-200,000 people
• Lived in small villages, with a more egalitarian society and less emphasis on a central authority
• Practiced agriculture, fishing, and hunting for food, with a focus on cassava, sweet potatoes, and seafood
• Skilled navigators and canoe builders, with a reputation for being fierce warriors
• Resisted European colonization, with a strong sense of independence and cultural identity

Mayans

• Originated from Mesoamerica, specifically present-day Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras
• Lived in city-states with a population of around 2-5 million people, with a strong focus on trade and commerce
• Practiced agriculture, particularly maize (corn), and developed a sophisticated system of irrigation
• Had a complex society with a system of governance, architecture, and astronomy, with a focus on mathematics and calendrics
• Developed a unique writing system, with hieroglyphics and codices, showcasing their intellectual achievements
• Built temples, palaces, and pyramids, with the most famous being Chichen Itza and Tikal, demonstrating their architectural prowess