Indigenous Caribbean Network
Jorge Baracutei Estevez
, Male
United States
Profile Information:
- About Me:
- I work at the National Museum of the American Indian In NYC. I enjoy researching anything and everything about the indigenous Caribbean.
In addition I am one of the founding members of Guabancex wind and rain society. This group dedicates itself to researching all aspects of Taino continuities, - Occupation:
- National Museum of the American Indian/ Boxing-Martial Arts instructor
- Education:
- Naturally
- Contact Information:
- Baracutay12@aol.com
- Research Interests:
- Anything that has to do with the indigenous Caribbean
- Publications:
- I have written a number of articles on Taino Culture for the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian magazine as well as other publications.
* De Donde Soy Yo video documentary with Luz Patria Estevez- 1997
* Co-editor of the Caribbean Amerindian Centrelink: http://www.centrelink.org/ 1997-present
*Encyclopedia of Caribbean Religions – Taino Spirituality Today by Jorge Estevez- Publisher: Ford Foundation and York University December 12, 2000 Editor Patrick Taylor - Not yet published.
*Worked as a Taino Historical/Cultural consultant for the Discovery Channel program titled: In Search of Columbus. September 24, 2003.
*Co-Author of “Indigenous Resurgence in the Contemporary Caribbean” Edited By Max Forte- Peter Lang Publishing 2006.
*Indian Country Today, Rolling Back Extinction: Comment on "Curanderos at El Cachote" 08/2006
*Worldviews: Contact and Change- Article for Pearson Education Canada 07/2007
* Indian Country Today, Batu, The ancient game lives on 03/26/08
* Centro Journal- Hunter College- Amerindian mtDNA in Puerto Rico: When Does DNA matter? Pending - Affiliation:
- Guabancex: Taino wind and Rain Society
- My Website:
- http://Caribbean Amerindian Centrelink
Juan Almonte
Aug 25, 2008
AkuTurey
FrankAkuTurey
Aug 26, 2008
AkuTurey
FrankAkuTurey
Aug 26, 2008
Juan Almonte
Aug 28, 2008
Jorge Baracutei Estevez
Aug 31, 2008
Guy Marco
I grew up at Yupukari Village.
The word Yupukari really doesn't any meaning because it is an attempt to write APKALI by foreigners. APKALITA is (the place of..) is how the villagers must have called it in Macushi prior to it been attempted to be written - because TA is a/the place of..
The current Chief ( Issac Rogers - a traditional healer as well) of the village told me that APKALI derived from a sound (AAAPKAA )made by an eveil spirit that scared early people when they are alone.
Sep 7, 2008
Juan Almonte
Yes taino genes and culture are not the same. Lucky for us we kept alot of our culture even if we are not aware of it. Even our spanish is very much influenced by taino. Like I said when I went to Jorge presentation. I had seen things that were very familiar to me. But I had not connected them to taino.
Your wrote "for example: If a fooll-blooded Indian denies of his language,culture, food, crops, life style he ceased to be an Indian, even if he is fooll-blooded, I understan it" That I disagree with. Many taino deccendant do the above cause they dont know there true identity. On top of that lets say I say to myself. I am going to stop talking, instead I am going to bark. I am going to walk on all fours and pretend to be a dog. Or maybe I got some mental problems and actually belive to be a dog. That doesnt make me a dog. You can clearly see I am human. It the same thing. You said you seen PR, dominicans, Cubans and south americans who looked very ameridian to you. But they told you the indians were all dead.
If you hear and read that the indian were wiped out in the caribbean and south and central america. You could look straight up indian and belive that you look european and think the indian are wiped out.This is what happening.
Sep 13, 2008
Juan Almonte
I mean culture is important. But a irishman coming to DR and learning the culture will not make him taino.
Sep 13, 2008
Jorge Baracutei Estevez
Sep 14, 2008
Juan Almonte
You know ruben when I cut my hair short. It gets naturaly very spiky. So I do get confused for ecudorian and salvaordian. My sister too. My dad gets mexican and philipino alot. But some times when I am in areas that are mostly asian they think I am one of them.
I am flattered that you considered me almost 100% taino. That you would even put me in the same catogory as Jorge. Jorge picture does him no justice. When I met him in person I was stunned that he was speaking spanish. He looked like a north american indian to me. I remember when I met him and I kept telling him but you so indian. But you know what! I notice that even north american indians dont look like the hollywood image. I have met full blooded native americans that kinda look like me. One in particular could have been my twin brother except he was a bit darker.
The people in the picture in my page are actually all related to me. I got my mom, dad, my daughter, my sister and her sons, grandmother and grandfather on my dad side. And a few cousins. As soon as I can scan a picture of my moms parent and grandparents I will posted them. You know, I told Jorge that some of my family to me looked if they could be full blooded tainos
Sep 14, 2008
Jorge Baracutei Estevez
Thank you for your input into these matters and for keeping the dialogue busy. I have been involved in other projects and have not had the time to answer questions.
I will say that honestly, too much attention is being placed on "looking Native". As you both know, I am more interested in our cultural continuities than in looking Indian. There are people in the DR that are keepers of traditions and customs that are bonafide Taino, but they themselves may or may not be, they certainly dont look it. What I can say is that I have more to learn about my culture from them than from someones very indian face that says little about our culture.
Juan, I will be contacting you soon. I want you to visit my house in a few weeks. Will keep you posted.
All the best!
J
Sep 22, 2008
Juan Almonte
Sep 22, 2008
Juan Almonte
You know I been reading and looking at alot of youtube vidoe, concerning anthropoligy. I understand that culture should be the main focus. But I think we can learn alot from anthropoligy too. Ofcoure I am in no way trying to school you, you the man! But I find it very intersting for me. I mean even drinking milk. I read that native men after a certain age dont produce the enzyme that brake down lactose. Therefore all the stomach pains from drinking even half and half in my coffee is explained. I tend to look at people from diffrent races and see there facial features. Especially asians. I have notice many similarities. Even the flat forehead or the bump above the eyebrow, slanted eyes. So the cibaenoz that I have incountered I kinda look for these things. I think that because not all of us are going to look as indian as you. I mean even my parents and relatives look alot more indian than me. I have more asian features. But anthropolgy give me an explanation and confirm to me that we are indians who some of us absorb the europeans and not the other way around like many people belive.
Sep 22, 2008
Jorge Baracutei Estevez
When I focus on features, especially in certain communities in the DR its because there is almost a certain bet that these particular communities must have been isolated for a longer period of time. So I can only imagine what cultural practices must be preserved there. My experience has taught me however that in places where you see less of the Indian phenotype, you can and do find just as much Taino cultural continuities. This leads me to believe that our ancestors were more influential than even I could imagine....
Baracutei
Sep 23, 2008
Juan Almonte
I use the stuff that I read kinda for me. Like I told you before I don't think I have the indian looks that many an my family have. So I use what I read in anthropology to connect myself to them. Like you said you have family who dont look as indian as you. But they in no way are less indians. So I am doing the reverse. My parents and family look very ameridan to me, so I think if they are, even though I dont look it, cause they are therefore I am. I know that last part sounds a bit confusing but I am sure you know what I mean.
But I have also notice from the north american indians that I have met they themselves have looks that vary. I could have easly fit into there tribes except that my complextion was bit light for one of them. I have told them about the indigenous people of the caribbeans.They were very intersted. Sadly this was before I met you. So I could have them go to your presentation.
You wrote "My experience has taught me however that in places where you see less of the Indian phenotype, you can and do find just as much Taino cultural continuities. This leads me to believe that our ancestors were more influential than even I could imagine...." You know I have been just looking at how native of this entire conintent have contributed to europe. But never thought that the folks who may not be of native deccent have also absorb the taino part of the culture. I mean the euro and african is very evident. In admixture, music, food etc. The indingounes get played down. I have a friend who is from san fransico de macoris. She is involed in a afro dominican movement. She was telling that in that part of the island they use more african words, customes and practice some type of african religions. I am going to ask her. But I think it was the 3 rio's or something. I am kinda wondering if taino has influnced it. She told me that the african in DR is mostly from the congo and I forgot what other part. She told me mangu is a african word. Makes sence since platano is a african veggie. She emailed me a list of african words still use in that region. Hopefully I didnt delete. If I find it I will post it here. Kinda curious how much of it is african and if some of it is taino.
Sep 23, 2008
Anita Pagan
Email me and I will get you our info pa' que escribas!
Oct 3, 2008
Pernilla Hultberg
Thanks so much for your mail! Well yes, I have a very interesting job situation at the moment, but unfortunately it is taking up too much of my time, and if I continue this way I will never finish my master degree (about the Caribs)! :-)
And no, unfortunately my common-law husband and father of my youngest son does not appreciate me, and I am in the process of separating. So in that aspect my life is a bit chaotic.
So take extra good care of your wife - it sounds like your a fantastic match!
Another thing; I read about the hurricane Omar - do you know how hart it hit the Caribbean?
Talk to you soon again!
/Pernilla
Oct 23, 2008
Ann
Oct 25, 2008
Pernilla Hultberg
Oct 30, 2008
Al "Kutubanama" Velazquez
Nov 27, 2008
Juan Almonte
By the way my friend is still not able to attend the museum on weekdays. I am hoping that the muesum will have some taino aritifact that he can see over the weekend.
Have a good one.
Nov 27, 2008
Juan Almonte
Al "Kutubanama" Velazquez's posted part of the enriqullo story on my page. Very intersting. I was familiar with the story. But I thought I knew everything concerning enriquillo so I didnt asked you. And I actually daughted al wasnt going to tell me anything new. To my surprise even though the version I know was accurate it had gaps that Al filled. That thought me to actually shut up and listen. And even asked regardless if I think I know the deal.
But anyway I was telling my mom this story and she told me she new it but not withl the details I told hers.
Then I mentioned the guamo or fotuto. She told me that they had a horn that they blew to let folks knw when and what type of meat was available, cow, pork ete etc. I asked her are you sure is was not a gaumo. She told me that it was a horn made out of one of the animals. That story was is a bit diffrent than what I expected.
Also my question the word "hulle" not sure if I am spelling it write but as hulle dominican way of saying hurry up. I know its not a spaniord word but have not found it in taino dicctionary. Would you know if its taino?
Nov 30, 2008
Juan Almonte
Ruben sent me the below link. I figured you maybe intersted too.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23609883/
Dec 6, 2008
Juan Almonte
Im a bit stressed but I am trying to think positive. I will send you a private email in a few.
Dec 12, 2008
Juan Almonte
The article wrote "la Sabana de los Indios" Is that another name for the cibao regoin. I heard some were none cibaenos called it la teirra del los indios.
Also the person that wrote the article seems not to identify as taino. I am assuming that he is not from the region or he know he is not taino.
This person wrote. "Ahora nos falta, el rescate de los descendientes Tainos, que podamos identificarlos por regiones, para crear reservas protegidas para esas personas, quienes de manera Mística; han sobrevivido en la marginalidad entre indignados y orgullosos.
¡Ellos son los dueños de la isla, así debemos reconocerlos!"
Those two last paragraphs hit home for me. You would think that if we only make up 15% of the population as compare to boriken number. The dominican goverment would give them some type of acknowledgement.
Dec 13, 2008
Juan Almonte
Compai, the above link is a diffrent article by the same person. It's in spanish though. Bit hart to understand. But on this one he is acknowleding his taino roots. Cause on the other article it seemed that he was writing as an outsider. He also speak about how columbus noted that the taino had diffrent complextion. The only part that I see that he is wrong is that he is stating there are more amerdian ancestory than the other two. DNA kinda proves him wrong on that one. I know that in DR we dont have lots of full blooded europeans.
I also reread the first article. The last paragraph it seems like he is suggesting reservations.
Dec 13, 2008
Juan Almonte
"Provocando que los hombres que estaban bajo su mando, al quedarse sin comandante se dispersaran en la zona en pequeños grupos, y comenzaran a convivir y multiplicarse con las Tainas de la zona, y de ahí el origen de la fuerte presencia de piel blanca entre los moradores del Cibao, contrario a las otras regiones de la isla."
My question is if he is right. Why no taino dna fournd in the rest of the island. Also he is using complextion to seprate taino from cibao and taino from the rest of the island (when no taino have been found) Using complextion is such a bad way of doing this research. My fathter is about your complextion and even my mom is darker than me. From what I read before in columbus notes and in bartolome notes. Tainos were diffrent complextion to begin with. From what I read on tainos they were an admixutre of many indigenous people. Even idians from the same tribe can vary in complextion let along diffrent tribes. Also a member in this site told me that present day taino's hablgroup test confirm the above., incliding cherokee.
He is making it seem like the cibaneos are more europeans. When in fact in the cibao region whe vary in complextoin. From my understanding when enriquillo took the tainos to the cibao regions no european followed. So now this guy make no sence.
Dec 13, 2008
Keiahani
Dec 14, 2008
Juan Almonte
Dec 15, 2008
Juan Almonte
Anyways do you know anything about that?
Dec 15, 2008
Juan Almonte
Dec 16, 2008
Juan Almonte
Thanx for the info on jamaica. It be nice if they could do a dna over there too.
Dec 16, 2008
Juan Almonte
I did see a taino dictionary from puerto rico had a yellow cover and ateby on it. But it seems to be out of print. Do you know of any that I can purchase.
I have the lokono- (english to arawak) one. But even damon corries told me that our ancestors droped many arawak words for other tribes especially the mayans as alot of trading was happening between them.
My friend from janico is very intersted in one of those dictionary too.
Dec 21, 2008
Juan Almonte
I found a book (Languages of the Pre-Columbian Antilles) below is the link to it.
http://www.amazon.com/Languages-Pre-Columbian-Antilles-Julian-Granberry/dp/081735123X/ref=pd_sim_b_4
(diccionario taino llusstrado (serie puerto rico phrhistorico) (spanish edition) Below is the link. This one is out of print
http://www.amazon.com/Diccionario-Ilustrado-Puerto-Prehistorico-Spanish/dp/0963343599/ref=sr_1_24?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229899777&sr=1-24
I am really surprised that I only found these two. One is out of print and the other may or may not only be a taino dictionary.
Dec 21, 2008
Juan Almonte
Bo matum my waitio. (Im learning)
Dec 22, 2008
Juan Almonte
I will see you tomorrow.
Dec 22, 2008
Juan Almonte
Tomorrow dude.
Dec 22, 2008
Juan Almonte
Dec 23, 2008
Juan Almonte
I tried to get incontact with my friend but his cell didnt get the singal. I am sure he will be happy to get a copy of the dictionrays that is if you dont mind.
The one thing that I keep forgetting to asked you was about taino necklace. I wanted to see if I can maybe make one or buy one. Wanted your recomendatoins. I want something I can ware in public. I think part of the resurgence is letting other know who we are.
I also been wanting to asked what part of kiskeya is your wife from?
Anyways my brother thanx so much for you time. Please know that I appricated it.
Dec 24, 2008
Juan Almonte
Something intersting. I just finish seeing a pbs program. The host went to indonesia. She visited some of the areas. One area was actually called sarawak. For a second there I thought it was in south america. They even had tabaco and use words that sounded arawak. They lived like indians and used many ameridians tool/weapon. Funny one of them even looked like an uncle of mine. Mind boggling how connected we are to the asians.
I did find it wierred that the words were very arawak or sounding like arawak. I am not to knowlegable so maybe I heard them wrong. But some did sound like dominican campesino words
Dec 27, 2008
Juan Almonte
I put up a picture that was taken by a cousin on a airplane., right above our beatufull kiskeya. When you get a chance check it out. It actually came out pretty clear.
Anyways un abrazo da waitiao.
Jan 3, 2009
Ivy
Jan 6, 2009
Ivy
As for the restaurant, no, we sold it last Nov. but he is dying to re-open soon and there's a long line of customers that will be ready to bust the door open! But we'll see...it's a lot of work and takes up most of your time, although I have to admit it was a lot of fun.
Jan 7, 2009
Ivy
Jan 8, 2009
Maximilian Forte
But there appears to be a very large Taino warrior lurking in your swimming pool.
Jan 27, 2009
iukibuel
Feb 8, 2009
Iris Antongiorgi Concepcion
Kathys Comments
Feb 8, 2009
Iris Antongiorgi Concepcion
Feb 11, 2009
Iris Antongiorgi Concepcion
Graphics for Good Morning Comments
Feb 20, 2009
Iris Antongiorgi Concepcion
Apr 6, 2009