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# The Caribs The Caribs, like the Arawaks, originated in South America. There were many different tribes, with similar but distinct cultures. Around 1000 years after the Arawaks, some Caribs migrated to the Antilles. By Columbus' time, they had taken over parts of Trinidad, possibly eastern Puer...

# The Caribs The Caribs, like the Arawaks, originated in South America. There were many different tribes, with similar but distinct cultures. Around 1000 years after the Arawaks, some Caribs migrated to the Antilles. By Columbus' time, they had taken over parts of Trinidad, possibly eastern Puerto Rico, and the Lesser Antilles, replacing the earlier Arawak settlers. The Caribs were generally fewer in number than the Arawaks, possibly due to more frequent warfare. The Arawaks feared the Caribs, who raided settlements to get food and slaves. ## Daily Life Carib villages were built on windward sides of the islands, for defense. Sentries on watch in canoes warned of approaching strangers. If strangers were peaceful, they were welcomed into the village, escorted to the *carbet* (men's house; the most important building), greeted by the village captain, and exchanged names. After this, they were taken to a nearby stream for a wash and then a clean hut for rest. Women prepared feasts for the visitors. The Caribs ate lots of seafood and peppers, but avoided salt, pork, and turtle, believing these foods made them stupid and avoided fat. Sometimes they cooked soup from leftovers, seasoned with pepper sauce, cassava flour, and oysters. Grilled fish was cooked slowly on wooden grids. They also ate sweet potatoes, yams, and a favorite dish of crab and cassava stew. The image shows a small *carbet*. Many were considerably larger.