The taínos were the biggest tribe of native people living in the Caribbean before the Spanish came. The taínos had their own language. Many words in Spanish and in English actually come from taíno words. This is a good example of how the taínos have affected our lives today.

Algunas palabras taínas

The taínos were handy with wood, and expert seamen The taínos were handy with wood, and expert seamen. They used the majestic ceiba tree to make their kanawas.

That’s the origin of the Spanish word canoa…

…and of the English word canoe.

la canoa… canoe.

The taínos were skillful weavers The taínos were skillful weavers. They used cotton to make fishing nets and hanging beds… hamacas

That’s the origin of the Spanish word hamaca

…and of the English word hammock …and of the English word

hamaca hammock

The taíno religion had many gods or cemíes The taíno religion had many gods or cemíes. One cemí controlled strong, destructive winds. This is not the zemi huracan. I haven’t yet found a good illustration of him. He was called Juracán.

That’s the origin of the Spanish word huracán…

…and of the English word hurricane

huracán… hurricane

The taínos used the fruit of the higüera tree to make a rattle-like musical instrument.

They called them maracas They called them maracas. That’s the origin of the Spanish and English word, maracas.

They used a hollowed out squash to make a special percussion instrument. The taíno name for the instrument is now an English and a Spanish word... el güiro

The taínos hunted a large gray sea mammal they called… manatí.

That’s the origin of the English word manatee… …and the Spanish word, manatí.

Las islas del caribe had many reptiles including one the taínos called… iguana

That’s the origin of the Spanish and English word, iguana

The taínos also harvested fruits and vegetables that at the time were unknown in Europe. The words they used for these fruits and vegetables also became part of the Spanish and English languages. For example: maíz Spanish/ taíno English maize / corn

la papaya Spanish/ taíno English papaya

Another important taíno crop was a leaf that they would chew or smoke, often as part of their religious ceremonies.… Spanish/ taíno English tabaco tobacco

Preguntas de discusión Can you remember some of the taíno words that became Spanish words and then English words? Why do you think these taíno words survived and others did not? Use pictures or other cues

Fin. Developed with support from the Coca-Cola Foundation and an anonymous foundation. James D. Fernández King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center New York University 2002