Al "Kutubanama" Velazquez

Male

Elmhurst NY

Profile Information:

About Me:
I am a proud Taino Boricua born in the Bronx NY. My childhood was in Vega Baja (Formerly known as the Yukayeke of Kacike Guakabo, Cibuco). My parents were both from Penuelas (Part of the Yukayeke of Kacike Agueybana, Guainia). I've been back in the "States" since 1978, but I always go back to my beautiful Boriken a few times every year, and working for the airlines really helps. I am very knowledgeable in my Taino culture, language, and history, and that is something I am very proud of. I've done lectures in these subjects in schools ranging from elementary to college levels. I'm a level headed guy who loves a great sense of humor and likes to look at the positive side of things. I am also a very powerful warrior when I have to stand up to adversity, ignorance, foolishness and stupidity. Ask me more if you'd like to know me. I'm here as a brother and friend!!!
Occupation:
Airline Customer Service Agent
Education:
Escuela Primaria San Vicente, Vega Baja PR (1971-1978)
William Cowper JHS73Q, Maspeth NY (1978-1981)
Newtown High School, Corona NY (1981-1984)
College of Aeronautics, East Elmhurst NY (1984-1986)
Contact Information:
E-mail me at condor1266@yahoo.com
Myspace page "Freddy"
Research Interests:
World Cultures, History, Aviation, and Animation to name a few.
Affiliation:
Taino Nation of the Antilles, Maisiti Yukayeke Taino, and the Taino People in general!!!

Comment Wall:

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  • adem medina cardona

    thank you for the add
    peace~c
  • NANIKI-BO MAN OF SPIRIT

    Host unlimited photos at slide.com for FREE!
  • NANIKI-BO MAN OF SPIRIT

    tau brother hope u still comeing
  • Juan Almonte

    Hey I read your reply to ruben. I agree. Even though people tell me its impossible. But I personaly do belive that in kiskeya, boriken and cuba there could be tainos who are pure or atleast very close to pure bloods.


    I actually belive that many of the tainos deccendants are actually tainos with little europeans admixture or african or little of both. Not to say that there are not pure blacks. Like in kiskeya. I know for a fact that especially on the eastern side of the island there are dominicans who are very african. Just like the opposite of the island cibao region. You will see more ameridan looking people. Jorge estevez is a great example of it.
  • Miguel Sague Jr

    Tau Brother
    I appreciate this sentiment and I share your feelings about Thanksgiving. As you do, I also believe that at the same time that we Indigenous people have the responsibility to combat the misconceptions associated with the holiday of Thanksgiving here in the US we must recognize that our ancestors did observe special days upon which gratitude was expressed to the Great Spirit Yaya Guaturey for the good things that we are blessed with. November 27 is as good a da as any to pause and give thanks for the blessings that we enjoy.
    Taino TiMiguel Sobaoko Koromo Sague
  • Juan Almonte

    Hey brother, thanx for your very educational comment left on my page. Very intersting that you can brake down your admixture. Diffently explain you strong ameridian looks. Even though I am using the word admixture the european in you is so small that the taino negates the whole thing. From speaking to people I notice I am one of the few folks that says that we are taino with little admixture. You are a good example of it. Even though with that said looks are not a good indicator. Chuck Norris who's mother is half cheerokee and irish and father is also the same half cherokee and irish looks compleatly irish. I also hear people say that our taino ancestory only comes from a maternal liniage. I beive thats another pile of crap. There is no way that no taino men didnt contribute to our gene pool. That a eurocentric point of view.

    I am familiar with enriquillo, his great fight against the spaniords and other many brave taino warrios from diffrent part of the caribbean, Ofcourse I would love to learn more. The only problem that I notice is that even in war our ancestors were kind to not kill unlless they had to. In other words our ancestors would let european go if they gave up. That was our downfall, the europeans of that era had no honor. I tell people even though true that many europeans killed many indigenous people threw this continent. More of them died threw european disseases. Indiginous people also killed many europeans aswell. You mentioned bahoruco, I belive this region of kiskeya is also called cibao region. I heard that other dominicans even call that regions indio land.

    You mentioned the taino survival in the estern part of cuba. Funny as the cibao region is in the western part of the island. Very intersting.


    Thanx for comments on my familys pictures. Picture 15 is my first cousin who actually resemble a younger version of my mom. Except my mom is a shade darker. Anyway my cousin name is wendy. She passed away a year ago. A drunk driver hit the passenger side of her boyfriends car. A few hours later she died in the hospital. R.I.P. Wendy. We love you and miss you.


    Picture 22 are my dads parents. I dont have any pictures scanded of my moms parents who also look very ameridian. At one point in my youth. I use to think that both side of my family were full blooded indians. I am starting to think my original thought are more accurate than I thought. My mom and dad are from the same village.Looks more like a mountain. I have a picture of it on my page. My mom tells me dad three generation back there were no spanish first and middle name used by both side of my family. Her grandmother was named anacaona and grandfather apolinar. She mentioned other wiered names that I email to Jorge and he confirmed that they were taino.
  • Juan Almonte

    Hey brother sorry for making my last comment so long. I didnt realize I typed alot until I hit the the add comment.


    Anwyays thank for the picture asswell, very nice. I was not aware that we could upload pictures into the comment box

    I am hoping that this resurgence of our people unites taino and stops this ignorant hate between dominican. puerto rican and cubans and even with south american. And eventually unite all indiginous people of this whole continent. I will admit my only interst is indigenous part of this population regarless of what part of the continent they come from.

    Brother once again thanx for your comment and enjoy your holiday.Blessing to you and yours.
  • NANIKI-BO MAN OF SPIRIT

    tau ti my new name is cimu-yahu means face of sprit may be one day ure free i can meet up with you...i live not far from the 58 bus goes thu elm hurst!!!!
  • Yabey

    Tau tain mautia anegwaba da itiao.Hey longtime we don't text each other I hope everything is well in your life cause thats the way it should be for humanity. Tai ku taino ti
  • Miguel Sague Jr

    Tau Brother
    I am honored by your words and want you to know that the feeling of respect and prayers of blessings that you expressed to me are mutual and I send them also to you and your family.
    Taino Ti
    Miguel
  • Juan Almonte

    Brother thanx for you nice comments on my cousin. She was very loved. I was actually surprised at her funeral when there was so much people that they didnt fit and also stayed outside regardless of how the weather was.


    You wrote "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."



    Your parents are very good looking folks. I didnt comment on your pictures earliers as it is obvioius of there's and your strong ameridan feature. But your last sentice I dont understand. Could you explian
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Reply to second comment:

    Brother I will be honest with you I thought I knew that story so I never asked Jorge about it. So I thought you were going to repeat things I already knew. But there are gaps in the story that I know that you compleatly filled. I got goosebumps from reading it. Very detailed, it made me very proud. Please keep it comming.

    I am going to paste a story that I told Jorge and later ruben on this site. As it is relevant to the history lesson you are giving me.

    Intersting story. My dad was talking to me and my brother in law. He had just cooked yucca. I told him( que bueno yo le tenia un deso a la yucca) My dad started talking about yucca. He said that the town that they are from use to make casibbe bread. And that this process has to be handled with care. Cuase making cassebe can be dangeruous casue of the poisines liqued. He mentioed a way to filter it. I was paying attention. But I was already familir with this process cause of my studies........Anyways what he and my mom told us next stunned me and my brother in law. Both my parents said that they both ate plantanos for the first time here in the USA. In the late 60's. They said that they didt even know what a platano was until they came to the states. Yucca was the main crop even till this day. Ofcourse now they have platanos but yucca is the dominant vegie. That is crazy. So for over 400 years of platain being in DR. These folks had never even seen a plantain. Intersting ha!

    I also told Jorge when I met him a few month ago. That my father cousin started researching our ancestory and discovered some documents that my father father family were deccendants of slave. So I asked my father we are deccendants of african slaves. My father said no, the documents have indio as slaves. That stunnded me cause I didnt think the spaniords would have kept good records of taino slaves. I told Jorge the story thinking that he was going to say its BS cause I thought the spaniords didnt keep indian slave records. Pluss I thought it was BS. But Jorge was not surprised. He told me he new of similar records. I was going to go to DR and photocopy those records. But because of personal issue I wont be able to make the trip. My parents will go in a few months I will asked them to photocopy these records for me.
  • Juan Almonte

    Ruben I posted on your page. But I will add something here. That even though african and spaniord did go to boriken. It was not even close to the numbers in cuba and kiskeya. Onother myth is that there were no african women brought to this continent. African women were in high deman in the caribbean. The caribbean was actually a satelite for the african slaves and many were breed there. Sad but true.


    Yes kiskeya and cuba even more has more land that boriken. But I think that percentage wise we are small but if you do that math we may be the same to puerto rico numbers or atleast close. Now cuba is a diffrent story.

    So I do belive that the 15% found in kiskeya is accurate. Remember not evey taino was tested but also not every non taino. Its just an estimation. If they would say that the they found over 30% of the dominican population has taino ancestory I would think its made up. Now if in boriken they would actually say that the numbers are closer to 80% I would not belive it. Cause boriken now has many eurpean living in the island. Many dominican live there too. Many may or may not be of taino ancestory. Just in like in DR. Recently we been getting many eurpeans buy land especially spaniords, german and itailians.

    I honestly dont belive they have looked for y-chromozone. I might be wrong. But I dont see how its possible to find people who are above 50% taino let alone the once they found who are 75, 80 or 98 % taino without male contribution. Logic tells us its not possible.


    Al "Kutubanama" blessing to you my brother. Hope you enjoy your holidays and looking forward to what you can add to the above comment for ruben.
  • Juan Almonte

    Ruben one more thing. If there were no african and caucasion women brought to boriken and especially cuba and kiskeya. Every person in these island would be of taino ancestory. When infact in DR only 15% of the poulation has taino ancestory, boriken a very high 61% but still 39 are not taino. Cuba 33%.

    So much for all this talk that we are all tri-racial thats another myth.

    In my opinion only talking about tainos here. Tainos could be taino and african, taino and europeans or triracial. But I thought that we are all triracials. I think many of us could be two or even one race.

    As for the non tainos many obviously could be pure blacks, pure caucasions or a admixture of those two. But keep in mind we also have arabs, jap, chinese, jews etc etc. Who were not counted.
  • Juan Almonte

    Hey brother, Very true they were mostly concerened with male.But this depends on the region. Like in brazil alot more men were brought there. If men died they just got replaced. But in north america african women were in high demand compared to the rest of the continent. And they were also breeded in the caribbean. My computer needed to be reimaged and I never backed up any of the sources that I can use. If I find it I will post it.

    I dont think that we will ever have a acurate number for the fact that puerto ricans, cuban and domicans do migrate,. Even to places in europe or asia. My father has a cousin that actually lives in japan or china.

    You wrote" I believe the numbers came close to 45%."

    This number is a census or is it based on dna? I am sure during maybe 1600 our people number in kiskeya could have been that much.But I honestly dought that in recent years we are 45% of the dominican population. I belive to many folks migrated to our island and that there was just huge amount of africans who I am sure did not all mix. German jews, italians, japs and chinese did not all mix.

    I did see Jorge Estevez today. I think he said the number was 17 or 20%. That number to me sound more realistic. Than 45%.

    I am just amazed how much I have learned from chatting with our boriken and cuban brothers. I am stunned on how much of the taino names in kiskeya we have for villages, places etc etc. They have in the other island. Like just now you menionted Baracoa in cuba. There is a baracoa in kiskeya too. A boriken sister in this site also told me there is a cibao in boriken. I am stuned at these things. How said is this. They have truly robbed us of our history.

    You wrote"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"

    Are you using bohio as the whole island or are you refering to a region. When you talk about the worst massare and atrocities you are mentioning the first arrival of the spaniords right? I just want to make sure I understand. Cause so far your email have been very educational. I wouldnt want you to assume that I know something that I dont and skip on a bit of history.


    Prof. Jose Hatuey Barreiro,Yes, I heard and read some of his stuff. Good stuff

    You wrote"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)."

    I reread that comment. But I can figure out what you are responding too.

    You wrote"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!!!"

    Please do. I will do the same. You the man!!! Taino pride my brother.
  • Juan Almonte

    Happy new years brother. We diffently going to make this new years the rockist of them all. No worries brother, as they say better late than never......


    I see your point. But from what Jorge told me its only 15 to 18%. I will be honest with you. Anything above that would surprise me. This number to me sound about right. I told non taino dominicans and even they told me this number sound realistic.
  • Juan Almonte

    I hit add comment by mistake.

    Yeah thanx for the compliment. I am planning on putting more brave warrios up there. They should be honored and never ever fogotten.

    I heard of the eagle and condor prophesy a while back. I found it intersting. Thanx for posting those two pictures they are beatiful...
  • Juan Almonte

    Thanx again.

    Man I got to learn more taino words. I want to see it and hear it with out having to see the translation.

    Thanx again brother.
  • Juan Almonte

    I love when I see you guys post and use taino words, with its translation. My mom was impressed when I prayed the Guika baba in taino.

    I have taino dictionarys that I have to to memorise. J
  • Juan Almonte

    Yeah, I actually saw the guika baba a while back. I noticed some of the updates.

    As you know I had a subject that I was researching. That will be put to the side. I will try to use as much of my spare time to see how much of language I can learn. I seen tain online dictionary. They have 8 or more years saying they are going to update but so far nothing. I do have some stuff printed out that I will look into.

    No dought I will share what I learn. But obviosly your the teacher and I will be the student.
  • Juan Almonte

    Hey brother, no dought. By the way good post on the discussion.
  • George Simon

    Certainly, you are welcome to visit us in Guyana. I will be happy to take you to my village and to Anna Catherina.
  • Danielle Campos

    I just wanted to stop by to let you know that I really enjoy reading your posts and learning from you. You are very knowledgeable and seem like a great person :)
  • Caracoli

    Guakia Baba (Our Father)

    turey toca (is in sky)

    Guami-ke-ni (Lord of land and water)

    Guami-caraya-guey (Lord of moon and sun)

    guarico (come to) guakia (us), taino-ti (good,tall)

    bo-matum; (big,generous), busica (give to), guakia (us)

    Yucubia-aje-cazabi; (tubercles,bread)

    Huracan-wa (bad spirit no),

    Maboya-wa (ghost no),

    Yukiyu-han; (good spirit yes),

    nabori daca (servant am I),

    Han-Han Catu (So be it
  • George Simon

    Just let me know when you have decided to come over..but try to make your visit in the dry season ..

    a visit to the Rupununi Savannahs and to Brizil can be an exciting experience..
  • Ivy

    Thank you, Kutubanama, I appreciate it! But I won't get to meet the little one until August. It's funny you sent me a pic of bohillos, I was just searching for that song "Cuando Llegare Al Bohillo" yesterday to put on my profile!
  • Ivy

    I just noticed that you live in Elmhurst. My grandmother lives there, off of Broadway. It's nice that it's so close to Jackson Heights where there are lots of good restaurants!
  • Juan Almonte

    Hey nice list of star with amerdian ancestry. The taino and amerdian from mexico, central and south america would be way too looooooong, LOL.....

    There are few more you can add. Johny depp I hate to say that one is just too obvious. That dude has indian all over his face. Burt Reynolds, angelina Jolie, heather lockier, billy bob thorton There is a guy from star gate. Forgot his name He is half african american and half native american.
  • Juan Almonte

    Yes, brother. I actually already did that. Nice job on your part.

    I hope no one reads this, LOL.... But a 2yo ago when i became intersted in anthropolgy I was picking who I can tell had native ancestry. John depp was the fist and all the poeple you have on you list as well. Except for the baseball player. I dont know who he was. By the way when i did that I was batting 100%.


    No disrepect to alaska, canada and the USA native peoples. But I belive if you was to add up all the amerdian from mexico, central and south american (including the caribbean ofcourse) We be alot more than them.
  • Juan Almonte

    And actually I agree with you there are alot more. Not only in north america but in the rest of the continent.

    have a good night brother.
  • Juan Almonte

    Damn! I cant find my list. Anytime I saw a actor or singer. I would detirm if they had native ancestry and look them up. Like I said I was batting 100%. The one person I did not look up but I was told was half native american was chuck norris. He was not on my list. I my list I only had folks that I saw and knew and then confirmed. But chuck norrris is indeed native deccent. His mom is half cherokee and half irish and the dad is also the same 50/50 irsh and cherokee. So that would make chuck in my opionion 50% native. If find my list I will let you know who else. But I am sure once I see these celebs I will just see the native in them I will confirm and let you know.
  • Ivy

    You probably don't know her, as she keeps very much to herself, but she lives on Vietor Ave. It's always such a drag trying to find parking on that street when we go to visit her!!
  • Danielle Campos

    Just stopping by to say hi! Hope you have a great day
  • Danielle Campos

    Just stopping by to say hi! Hope you have a great day
  • Ivy

    Will do :)
  • Juan Almonte

    Ray & Al "Kutubanama"

    Diablo, I went oustide and you guys were gone. Thats messed up, LOL........


    Actually for some resean the securtiy people coulnd get me my bag. They had to have a manager come and open the door. I would have left the bag and picked it up tomorrow and left with you guys. But tomorrow morning I have a very early call to take care off. That usually doesnt happend. I normaly get requested at 9am or 10am. But anyways Ray It was nice seeing you and again. Al "Kutubanama" It was a pleasure meeting you in person.
  • Juan Almonte

    No worries brother. Like I said I had an early day the next day and could leave my bag. You the man!! Thanx for the comment. Bro, it was nice meeting you. Look forward to seeing you again. I will be attending more of these events and I am sure we will catch up. We neighboor any ways.
  • KUYA

    Tau:
    Thank you. I'm happy to be here amongst our people. Ahiahude.
  • NANIKI-BO MAN OF SPIRIT

    tau my brother thank you for me helping me finf my macanna still looking for work hopefully i get this forklift job but if u know of any conecttions let me know
  • Tania *Heremuru*

    Thankyou Kutu!!!
  • Hector Gonzalez-Benitez

    Greetings Brother;
    Thanks for the kind words about my black and white photos. The few that I have put on this site are my family on both side. My family comes from the area of Aibonito (Jatibunicu), Orocovis (Barros),Coamo,Corozal,Barraquitas y Morovis. I'll have to find more time to post more. I have over 1,200 more,lol,lol. If you and your family ever down my way.please come visit me at the Mashantucket Museum and Research Center , where I work. It will be on me. You can e-mail me at rangermedic56@yahoo.com or hgonzalez@mptn-nsn.gov.
    Bo-Matum
    Hector "Baracutey" Gonzalez
  • iukibuel

    My brother--awesome to reconnect. People told me about this sight and it is amazing. Let us stay in touch. Thanks for the welcome. Will speak to you soon.

    Peace,

    iukibuel
  • Tomas Baibramael Gonzalez

    Kuto que Perro, long time no see, miss you hope to see you soon. Quidate que de los buenos quedan poco and you for sure are not one of them I80)

    Tu hermano

    Waribonex
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  • Juan Martinez Ojeda

    Hola, vi tus fotos. Muy bonitas. El niño se parece a mi hermano mayor cuando niño. Él vive en Canadá, hace 29 años. Primero en Chicago, 1964, donde estudió PhD., en Ingienería Química, despues en el caribe Venezolano. Tiene 70 años de edad.
  • Iris Antongiorgi Concepcion

  • Juan Martinez Ojeda

    Está bien. Seguiremos en contacto.
  • Iris Antongiorgi Concepcion

    WITCHYS WIKKED GRAPHIX
    WITCHYS WIKKED GRAPHIX

  • Juan Martinez Ojeda

    Muy lindas fotos. Todo está muy bien. sguiré entrando a tu página.