Hi Juan,

Thanks for writing on my page, I always welcome ppl to do so. As for your comment I am a Trinidad but I'm mixed with both Indian and Spanish. When I indicate that I'm half SPANISH I wasn't refering to Venezuela. I was refering to both grandparents ethnicity. In Trinindad once you have indigenous blood you are considered a spanish. Hope this some what make you understand. If you have any more questions feel free to contact me again.

Take care of your self .
Bye

Hi Juan,
Peace unto u and ur family you would love this area kind of quiet but a lot to see like the great Niagara Falls and u can walk over the bridge to Canada if u ever get to these parts let me know we have the great turtle 6 nations in this part Seneca onondaga mohawk cayuga tuscarora oneida these tribes are very different from the southern and western tribes
well take care
Peace
Nancy

Maybe this is itRay's Blog

I've been reading this delicious book by Vine Deloria, Jr- red Earth, White Lies and I thought you might really enjoy it.

Have you read it? If not, get your hands on it... amazon or the public library. I would love to hear what you think about it...

Hope all is well with you :)

No, it does not. It focuses on the scientific explanation for prehistoric America while ignoring oral tradition.

Here is the description in Amazon

I am almost done reading it and it has been a pleasure.

hey Juan,
No..I'm not Colombian. I have a friend however whose friend has just come back from the Amazon who has been 'studying' the indigenous - it will be very interesting to meet him....I meet him this weekend if all goes well.
Kawe

Great to hear from you!!!...and yes, let's see who would actually argue withthe point that full blooded Tainos may still be around!!! I can tell you about myself; My father was 3/4 Taino, 1/4 Spaniard. My mother was 50/50 Taino and Spaniard. Doing the math, that makes me 2/3 Taino, 1/3 Spaniard. The Spaniards from my roots were of aristocratic descent, tall, light skinned, blue eyes, with the "Nordic" look. The rest were "Native" In my family background (Which I've researched for genetations) has no African heritage. Many of my relatives look like they were plucked out of a Southwest Indian Reservation. Others look like they were brought in from either Germany or Scandinavia. Any doubts, refer to my "Brother from another Mother" Kacian, who lives in Boriken and knows many of my realatives personally!!! He and I have also been in regions in Boriken such as the Central Interior Areas such as Coamo, Barranquitas, Aibonito, Utuado, Jayuya, and our last traditional bastion known as Maricao, where we've encountered many people who have shared stories with us about their Native lineage and nothing else. The same exists in Kiskeya in the regoin of Bahoruco, where the present day descendants of "Enriquillo's" people live. (As me about that history), and Eastern Cuba in the regoin ofBaracoa. Lots to tell about. Jorge Estevez can confirm!!!

I just cought a glimpse of the 22 pics you have on your slide. Even if you wanted to, there's NO WAY you can possibly deny to me your Native roots. These are some of the most stricking and beautiful family pics I've seen here so far and the pic that truly captured me were pics number 1,15, and 22. They speak volumes to me, and they sure speak volumes about you!!! DA ITA BUKIA KA DA GUAITIAO, O DA JAYONA KA!!! (I know you're my brother, and I am proud!!!)

Hey Juan,
I do speak macushi and although we can speak using macushi words only there are many english words now being inserted into our sentences -most of the time because those words mights not have a place in the macushi language...eg...aeroplane, bicycle, sorry, thank you....etc
do you speak Taino?
Kawe

I'm so glad to hear from you, and believe me, there's no neeed to apologize for the lenght of your reply!!! As far as the history of GUAROKUYA (Enriquillo), there's much to be said. I will share more of that for sure very soon. As far as that beautiful woman on pic 15 and the story of what happened to her, I am so truly sorry to hear that!!! I see a beautiful, vibrant Taino sister who left this world much too soon!!! As sad as this may be, Just like our anscestors have always believed, we must learn what teachings come behind that. My lineage is that of a WARIBO (warrior) and a Behike (shaman). If you look closely at the pic I have of my parents, you can closely see what their individual medicine was in either comparison. You and your family have much to be proud of. No one will EVER take that away from you as long as you guard that legacy!!! DA AK'ABO TO KA, DA TIAO!!! ( I am beside you, my brother!!!)

Juan,how are you,brother?I am fine,just struggle with poverty often!I thank you for your information...The "Casino Owner"reference to me in the suit picture,made me laugh!-that's funny,man!,cause you're right,I do look like one-I never thought of that!I didn't know my guy Fidel was 1/2 Taino-I thought he was straight-up "Gallego"...that's good,let's see with Obama,when he lifts the Embargo,so I can easily go to Cuba and be with my relatives...I'm sure I'd stay.Those pure Tainos maybe stayed among themselves mostly,and didn't mix with the genaral population,so if they were tested,for sure there would be "Y"dna!My father's father came from the Canarias,so no Taino"Y" from his side,only from my mom's side-ain't it so good to be part Taino?!=it feels great,I am very proud,and I also like that Cubans are taught that we are Cubans-all of us,not just white or black,or red...the problem though is that tended to obscure the Taino part..it's easy to see black and white,harder for the red or Mestizo-also,the "rightful"original/"owner's" of Cuba would be the Natives-so l"let's avoid a re-claim to the land,or special rights by taking away their identity" !!-that's the destructive part of the "we're all Cuban"mentality.I personally like,"We're all Caribbean",I hope to see that identification strengthen!Take care my friend,Frank Aku Turey

Enriquillo's name was actually "WAROKUYA". As boy, he survived the "ANACAONA" massacre by hiding under the body of his dead father. He was raised by Spaniards as a slave, but little did they know that because of his matrilinal lineage, he was dstined to become a "KASIKE" by birthright!!! In his teen years, he showed his rebellion to his captors, but he did develop a trust with one man in particular: Bartolome de las Casas. De las Casas was actually the only white man he EVER trusted. In his rebellion, he stratred what is now known as "Guerilla Warfare" against them, which was something never known to the Conquistadors. After some time, the Spaniards said they couldn't put up with the "Hit and Run" tactics of the "Indios", so they send de las Casas to talk to Enriquillo. Enriquillo told de las Casas that he would come from the mountains with him to toalk peace with the Spaniards alone. If he wasn't back by a certain time, his warriors would continue the war. de las Casas agreed. When the meeting took place, Enriquillo told the Spaniards that the peace will always be honored as long as they, "...never follow my footseps, or ever follow me and my people wherever we go!!!" The Spaniards agreed, and that is the first treaty ever recorded betweeen the people of the "New World", and the Native People. It happened in the islan of "BOHIO", present day "Hispaniola" in the year 1533. The Spaniards surprisingly did not follow them, and the Natives settled in present day "BAHORUCO". Many Dominicans can tell you that there are people from that region that "...don't normally mingle with the rest of the people after working or shopping, and they return back to their villages". Somehow, history books say that the people that met Columbus in 1492 were ALL wiped out 50 years after his arrival. Enriquillo took 4,000 men, women, and children to that region. You do the math and reasoning, especially since they were NOT persecuted again, and what local people in those regions say today!!! MORE TO COME!!!

Juan,

I've never claimed to have talked to everyone in the DR. I would never make such a rediculous statement. But remember, full-blooded means that 100% of both the mother's and father's blood is Taino or indigenous. That is very hard to do, especially after 500 years of colonization. I have no doubts that part of the culture still survives, and that many people are 100% culturally indigenous, but if you run the math it is very hard to maintain 100% biological full-blood.

I hope you don't think I am being rude or doubtful. But also, don't take what I have said out of context or out of its logical realm. I'm simply stating what I saw, learned, and know. Nothing more or nothing less. I always hope I am wrong... I love the DR and its people (of all ancestry): one thing I learned from living in the Chaucuay and other little villages was that blood meant little when compared to one's heart.

I hear you bro,but still,33% ia Cuba,in general with 75%!!!or so in Camaguey(Where my mom is from)and Eastern CubaI'm talking MtDNA-from the females-so even if there is only 2-3% of the male Y,still,it shows up nicely!cause those females had Taino Fathers!Yes,it ONLY comes from my Mom's side,as my Dad was only born in Cuba,and his Dad AND mom came to Cuba.The genetics decided to show fairly strong in me,what can I tell you?!-and I do have the DNA test to prove it,too.=-"Haplogroup A".Hey,do you want to open up a Casino?!

Gracias Juan, pues Ruben me ha comentado sobre ti pues si debe ser el idioma quechua, es verdad Rubén le gusta mucho nuestros orígenes y creo que le gusta saber mucho sobre los indigenas americanos, pues no se nada de ingles por esa razón escribo solo en español, creo que Ruben ayudará a comunicarnos.

Yes,33%is A WHOLE THIRD- with concentrations of 75% in Camaguey Cuba,and slightly lower in Eastern!The African is higher-45% as an average."Haplogroup A"..I am not an expert either,but there are for Native DNA:A,B,C,D,and some say some other which I don't remember...Eskimos are almost exclusive A...Yucatec Mexican,A...Eastern USA,"A"...Venezuela-Brazil,B and C.There ARE found a's among Arawaks,but it;s much less frequent than in the Yucatan people.,etc.That's why,at one point,I was a bit upset because the study in Cuba didn't find B,C,only in the ancient bodies od dead Tainos and Ciboney...same applies in P.R.-of course more people need to be tested,but it does show that more MAYA came than we expected,and more Cherokee,Florida Indians,etc. Still figuring it out!

yeah...go to National Geographic website,and look for The Genographic Project"-read,then you'll see"purchase kit"-it is 99. for each parent-so 200 for you,or have your siste do one,and you do father's,and you'll have the complete picture!You have a beautiful family!Take care,
Aku Turey

Well thankyou!
The book called "arqueologia prehistorica" is olny in spanish and I dont know if you can fin it in the internet 'cause I allready tried to get another copy for my friend this book is really good if you like to read about archeology and it randomly talks about the mithology and healing rituals. this book is also really old (1972) and my brother randomly foun it in a garbage can in th street when he went in vacation to santo domingo and he gave it to me because he knows I love the taino culture and archeology.
its a funny story!

I've heard about that Irving Rouse book before I will try to fin it, and read it! tankx!

Juan, regarding the book debunking Asian origin- I cannot say that it actually "debunks" anything. What it does is offer an interesting point of view that is rarely considered, that of the Native American. He offers native stories that describe events that occurred (according to scientists) before any human habitation. There are other points he makes that also discredit current scientific thought...

And as for physical comparisons - a rash can look like cancer but it doesn't make them the same thing. I am more from the school of thought that we don't have and won't get all the answers we want. Science makes itself look like it can but turns out to be the biggest religion of all...

Of course that is just my opinion and you know what they say about opinions. ;-)

Have a great day, Juan. And let me know what you thing of the book...

oh ok Hahom (thanx)

Sorry, never have worked for them.

Taino Ti

Just click on events on the top of the page

The Account of the Indies is a book I have to take in small measures, among others Like Bury my Heart in Wounded Knee and A Small matter of Genocide...

I think you'll find the Red Earth, White Lies a fun read. I did. As for the political context. Remember, Juan, that nothing exists in a bubble- everything is related and connected. He argues that "-ologists" maintain a status quo which in turn influences politics, which influences policies and then the people. So, even though we are not really interested in politics, we need to keep in mind that it does affect our lives...

I look forward to your comments on the book.

NICE TO MEET YOU TOO. SEVERAL EVENTS ARE BEING SET UP FOR ME AND REINA. WE ARE TAKING DOWN 24 OF OUR PAINTINGS FROM THE BRONX BOROUGH PRESIDENT'S GALLERY THIS WEEK. WILL KEEP YOU POSTED ON THE NEW EVENTS. ALSO THE 6 NEW PAINTINGS YET TO BE UNVEILED. BO'MATUM (THANK YOU) AGUILAR

Thanks for the link Compai. How are you??

Garifuna and Karifuna are overwhelmingly Arawakan. Garifuna's numeral system is French and they have borrowed from English and Spanish as well but that doesn't mean it's not indigenous. For example Maya uses a lot of Spanish words but it's still Maya.

Compai, The guy is not making sense because he is speaking from a very Spanish/Eurocentric perspective. This is the same mind frame that established a color scheme in the DR using Indio and to negate black as if Indians were white. No worries, we all know the truth and can see through the bovine excrement!

what do you mean by if there is anything we should know?

no, i was confused, i am working on a box for the museum, however i will not be doing it in the museum, i will be creating the box at home i am just getting the measurements

they need a new box for the taino section in the library and i told Jorge that i can make a new one

there are boxes in the library that have boxes with artifacts from all different cultures, it is an educational box that you can take out for research, i don't know who that person is or the post that you speak of

it sin the library at the museum just ask the guard next time you go, be careful what people send you especially if you don't know the person it might be a virus or something

are you here? Join me in the chat room if you can, see the front page, left sidebar, a tiny link

I see, sorry about that. I am thinking that it is asking you to create a new login, it's weird. It remember my name and password from last time, I clicked to enter, it rejected me. I re-typed the password I thought I used, and it let me in. It is supposed to let in absolutely anyone.

I am working on the chat configuration now Juan. I will let you know if I found anything.

huh, juan what are you talking about lol, i'm off to bed goodnight ttyl

Compai, La Casas unfortuntely is one of the main architects of the extinction myth. In order to get Spain/crown to understand what was happening on the islands he exagerated immensly on what was occuring in Kiskeya. AS an eyewitness he faithfully reported on the atrocities that were taking place, but he needed to sensationlize the story to a greater degree in order to get a sympathetic ear.

On Jamaica: I would not be surprised if Nativfe mtdna is very high in Jamaica. In aruba the Native mtdna is at 80 percent. Showing that the smaller the land mass the higher the percentage( of course we are dealing with mixed blood populations). IN Kiskeya the mtdna results indicate that the Taino remained relatively un-mixed for a longer period of time than in Puerto Rico. That said I would imagine that Cuba must have locations with even less admixture than those remote locations in Kiskeya.
All the best compai........

Juan, I know you are just now reading Bartolome' de las Casas and I appreciate your passion and anger. I already shared what my reaction was to the same information.

With all the horrors that occurred in the past I do not need to carry hate in my heart. It will nurture no one, including myself.

We already disagree with regards to the mixture of the bloods- and this is ok. Ultimately, who is mixed is a moot point because we don't all have $$ to drop for a mtDNA test.

But think on this, regardless of whether or not we are mixed, divisive action will not help us move forward.

Taino Ti, Juan~

Re-read my comment "With all the horrors that occurred in the past I do not need to carry hate in my heart. It will nurture no one, including myself."

There is no glorifying of the colonization period, nor celebration of the past in my words. Just no hate. Like you said, all those folks are gone. There is nothing to be done about the past. Nothing we do today can change it. I refuse to waste my time and energy on hating people that are dead, I refuse to live in the past, I refuse to carry a disgust that is not mine.

As for accepting that Spaniard is part of my heritage- yes it is! Hating the conquerors will direct hate to myself and that is, again, a waste of my time and energy. Life is too precious to waste it on hate.

As for the pure/mixed debate... I thought we agreed to disagree? :)

Have a great day and thanks for such stimulating conversation!

Compai I have a dictionary that you can copy here at the museum. Let me know when you want to come and get a copy.
All the best my waitiao.
baracutei

I will be here at the museum until 4 pm. See you then!!

Hey bro, A friend saw my old picture and said I looked......well weird. After looking at it for a while I agreed with her and changed it!
See you tomorrow

Blessings to you and yours as well!!! As far as African women being brought over, actually the numbers are a bit lower than you might expec, reason being because of the Taino woman being so desired especially by the Spaniards. As far as slave trade was concerned, the Spaniards and all other European slave traders concerned themselves more with the good strong man more than the woman, but yes they were "imported".

As far as Indigenous mtDNA, in Boriken the numbers accounted for 64.5% of the population, without counting the "Boricuas" here stateside. As far as I've known of the research in Kiskeya, I believe the numbers came close to 45%. The reason for the numbers being lower there is because "Bohio" was the site of the worst massacres and attrocities against our people, but I believe the numbers were pretty high even though back in 1997, the numbers were estimated to be about 19% in Kiskeya and 33% in Boriken. By then, contact was already established with the Tainos in Cuba, where in a small province called Baracoa, not far from Guantanamo, they were estimated at 4,000. Going around the surrounding region, it was more like 20,000. I don't know an estimate there but I definitely think Jorge Baracutey in the NMAI can help as well as Prof. Jose Hatuey Barreiro, Cornell University, head of the American Studies Department, who himself is a Taino brother from Camaguey Cuba. As I find more info, I'll share it with you. Anything you can find out as well will be greatly appreciated and welcome. Stay awesome, my brother!!!

To answer a question you gave me back in Nov 29 (Sorry for the delay), the last sentence was actually in Taino in CAPITAL LETTERS. The translation is (In parenthesis).

doesn't matter the language -- it's the sentiment that counts. No importa el idioma es el sentido de la palabra.

Thanks for responding.

thankyou for your comment and for your welcome

you are correct!
peace&luv~c

You're welcome and thank you for accepting my request... yes, my father is a very intelligent man and I've learned A LOT from him. I'm learning from a lot of you guys on here as well.

I see your from Corona I hope you know of the most awesome Dominican restaurant EVER (lol) La Brisa on 103rd....hubby took me there on our first date and it's a family instiute now!