Taino Society

Not all was lost in the half century after 1492, the Tainos survived. We survived in small pockets on islands throughout the Caribbean. We endured slavery and forced assimilation. We were decimated, but not eliminated. There is evidence of our survival in not only in our DNA but in our words and phrases that are still used worldwide today. Our genealogical and archaeological record is constantly providing more details about our ancient ways. Our indigenous brethren on the mainlands have helped and mentored us as we fit together the broken and missing pieces of our heritage. We exist today as blended people: part Indigenous, part European, part African. Our heritage provides us the privilege of having a choice about how we engage (or rather how much to disengage from) the modern lifestyle. We are bonded as a diverse people because our hearts would be empty without our appreciation of our origin.