Puerto Taio: A Brief History Of Puerto Rico

Puerto is a mixing pot of cultures that include a history of Native American roots, Spanish conquest and oppression. Puerto Rico has been the property of another nation for most of modern times creating a vast amount of unique cultural elements. All these facets contribute to its brief history.

Taino:

Puerto Rico was “discovered” by Christopher Columbus, on November 19, 1493.There he discovered the native, Taino.

The Taino were a simple native people. Their key descriptive factors were a short stature with bright colored painted markings and drawings covering their bodies. There dark hair and bronze complexion were no doubt a result of the fiercely hot weather of the Carribean.

Their thatch hut dwellings, or bohios, were typicallly located near water in order to advantage themselves at hunting , fishing and agriculture. The bohios were made from the islands natural resources such as bamboo, grass, tree branches and mud to keep the materials together. The Chief, or Cacique, lived in home at the either the south or north end of the village with all other dwellings spread around the outer edge. The center of the village was truly the life of the party housing the plaza. The plaza was an entertainment area used for ceremonies, dancing and all other activities. Perhaps the most famous thing the Tainos are known for today are their use hamacas, or Hammocks!

The Tainos were very superstitious and religious people; this is none more evident in their crafting of Cemis. Cemis were stones cut in the shapes of various animals and people that the Taino believed warded off evil spirit from their crops and brought them good luck. These stones were believed to house gods!

Hunting, fishing and farming were the sources of the Taino food sup...

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... role in Puerto Rican culture. The Puerto Rican home is a place to connect with family members, wind-down and not feel pressured by the outside world. All these contribute to the closeness of the family dynamic in this wonderful culture.The home is used for many things that American families might go out of the house to do. Activities include birthday parties, anniversary parties and possibly even weddings. You could find yourself eating, dancing, singing, and just having an awesome time in a Puerto Rican home.

Intermarriage between Puerto Rico’s original Indians, Whites, and Black inhabitants has made Puerto Rican society a mixture of races.

Puerto Ricans are typically very festive people with several events on the calendar filled with dancing, feasting, singing, and celebrating! Below are several days throughout the year a Puerto Rico citizen might participate in.