Indigenous Languages of the South American Northeast - Cariban Languages, Maipurean Languages, Arawak Peoples, Taino People, Tariana Language (Paperback)

Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Pages: 28. Chapters: Cariban languages, Maipurean languages, Arawak peoples, Taino people, Tariana language, Tiriyo language, Arawakan languages, Garifuna language, Yanesha' language, Machiguenga people, Macushi language, Chibchan languages, Wayuu language, Carib language, Guajiboan languages, Axininca language, Chane people, Yine language, Apurina language, Panare language, Chamicuro language, Baniwa people, Cayaba dialect, Akawaio language, Baicawa dialect, Cubaba dialect, Enawene Nawe language, Achagua language, Terena language, Baure language, Chane language, Apalai language, Patamona language, Shiriana language. Excerpt: The Tainos were pre-Columbian inhabitants of the Bahamas, Greater Antilles, and the northern Lesser Antilles. It is thought that the seafaring Tainos are relatives of the Arawak people of South America. The Taino language is a member of the Arawakan language family, which ranges from South America across the Caribbean. At the time of Columbus's arrival in 1492, there were five Taino chiefdoms and territories on Hispaniola (modern day Haiti and Dominican Republic), each led by a principal Cacique (chieftain), to whom tribute was paid. Puerto Rico, also, was divided into chiefdoms. As the hereditary head chief of Taino tribes, the cacique was paid significant tribute. Caciques enjoyed the privilege of wearing golden pendants called guanin, living in square bohios instead of the round ones that the villagers inhabited, and sitting on wooden stools when receiving guests. At the time of the Spanish conquest, the largest Taino population centers may have contained over 3,000 people each. The Tainos were historically enemies of the neighboring Carib tribes, another group with origins in South America who lived principally in the Lesser Antilles. The relationship between the two groups has been the subject of much study. F...