1. 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.

2. Algunas palabras taínas

3. 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.

4. That’s the origin of the Spanish word
canoa…

5. …and of the English word
canoe.

6. la canoa…
canoe.

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

8. That’s the origin of the Spanish word
hamaca

9. …and of the English word
hammock
…and of the English word

10. hamaca
hammock

11. 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.

12. That’s the origin of the Spanish word
huracán…

13. …and of the English word
hurricane

14. huracán…
hurricane

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

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

17. 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

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

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

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

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

22. 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

23. la papaya
Spanish/ taíno
English
papaya

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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