The Taíno are defined as an Arawakan speaking tribe of the Greater Antilles. They once dominated the populations of Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and the Bahamas, but today the Taíno line survives as part of mixed ethnicity.
Taíno
Illustrated by E. Piñero
The Taíno have no known written language. They past on their beliefs, customs, and rules through song.
Below is the written account from Fray Ramón Pané, and translated by Susan C. Griswold. Fray Ramón Pané sailed to the island of Hispaniola on September 25, 1493. Over several years he lived amongst two Caciques, Mayobanex & Guarionex.
“They have their laws gathered in ancient songs, by which they govern themselves…And when they wish to sing their songs, they play a certain instrument that is called mayohabao, which is made of wood, hollow, strong, and very thin, the length of an arm and half an arm in width. The part that is played is made in the shape of a blacksmith’s tongs, and the other part resembles a mace so that it looks like a long-necked squash. And they play this instrument, which has a voice so loud that it can be heard from a distance of a league and a half. To its sound they sing their songs, which they learn by heart, and the principal men play it; they learn to play it as children and to sing with it, according to their custom.” - Pané
Mayohabao
Illustrated by E. Piñero