Hola Taino Ray:

I have a little question to ask of you.
Were you really interesting in starting a discussion about the way people are attempting to "go back to the old ways?"
I am spiinig off that comment you left on Taina's page.
I have been ducking for four years now.
We might be of like mind here.
Ayes

Hola, TainoRay:

Awhile back you made a comment on Taina's page that complained that there were soooo many casiques, ni taino, et al and so many people going back to the old ways. You put out feelers for a discussion on the former.
You still there with initiating one?
Ayes

In any case: my thoughts are this:

Our people are fulfilling the old prophesy that said that their ways would rise up again. 516 years later its happening. We all were being told that the Taino, and all the Indigenous people of the Caribbean were In my opinion I see that we are living in a democracy that says, Freedom of religion, freedom to be able to pursue whatever makes you happy. Our children have a right to pursue the old ways without conditions placed upo them.
Someday, I am hoping that all our people will come together again as a living tribal people with a real Cacique of the blood to unite them.
Right now there are just the organizations and they are seaparate from one another. Imagine what they would be able to do if they all came together.
The people called Micosiku of Florida came together. It took a long time but it happened. The descendants can do it too.
I am not into joining orgs. I know who I am and where I came from and where I am going and I have always been a solitary being. But yet I share with others.
I don't follow and I don't lead. I am.
Baracutey,
John Ayes

I consider myself truly blessed to know the people I know and to have the people who truly know me!!! Anyone could come up with an opinion about the "Thanksgiving" Holiday now upon us because of our Indigenous roots, but I will say the following in this season regardless of what this Holiday historically means to so many Native people: I will cast aside all historical offense and all present day offense to say that I am truly blessed by the Creator of this Universe tohave experieced all I have in this life and grateful for EVERY PERSON I've encountered in my life that has shown me either a positive or negative experience in my life, because I've learned so much from them. I am also thankful for ALL the people that I've encountered in my life who have spoken either positively, or gossiped negatively about me behind my back, because they've shown m e who is truly on my side, and who's against me!!! I'm even thankful for those who have spoken against me beind my back, because they've shown me that I am at east 2 steps ahead of them and on the right track!!! On this holiday of "THANKSGIVING" I'm thankful for all that has happened to me because it has shown me what path to take and will show me the path I will take. I can truly say even in the face of adversity; "I AM TRULY BLESSED"

HAHOM! Yeah the video looks like that because the Tibes Ceremonial Park requires us to be like that in our presentation and no matter what we tell them they don't understand. But we are truly Taino and we practice the culture and traditions of making casabe, making pottery, planting, carving in wood, making hamacas, elaboration of musical instruments, and making fishing nets too!

Hey brother. I know you sent a invitation for some type of gathering at the native american mussuem. Not sure if is this weekend or the next. But anywas I cant find it at this site now. I maybe able to attened with a friend. If there is a link on this site with the info can you pasted it on my comment box. Thanx in advance my brother.

You the man. Thanx.

I need to navigate this site more I didnt even see that tab.

BO'MATUM FOR YOUR WORDS. COME TO MY PAGE AND SEE THE ORIGINAL PAINTING FOR THE COMITE. TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK?

Hey brother. Do to personal issues I didnt attend. Looking forward to the next one.

yes taino ray it is I kunuk ceiba nice to hear from you .

As always thanx for the translation. I will alos look into your spain: immigrant discussion tonight when I get home. Looks very intersting.

Thanks for the video. No I won't be leaving just keeping a low profile.

Thanks, it's not my name. It just means revival, or revitalization. I won't be able to make it to the social after all. :( I'm going back on 8th because school starts the next week.

i may be biased
lol
but, yes i think they are quite handsome!!!
a beautiful christmas we had with all my children and most of their mother's and other first family relatives.
we are a mixed band of peoples from as far away as alaska to the caribbean
we are family

Thank you so very much for those prolific and beautiful words!! I am moved. Thank you. I am not familiar with the Arawak/Taino language, with the exception of the provinces/municipales in PR, and the few words heard on the island's daily living. Thank you! Gitana India

Wow! Ray, thank you.

If this is an invitation to put our differences aside and re-attempt a relationship in Taino fellowship, I accept.

I am happy to follow the example of the Iroquois and bury the hatchet.

Welcome natiao.
Oma'bahari, nabori'daka,
Nanu

In your head? LOL, well that is something for future consideration... but not right now :) .

I welcome you, Ray, opinions and all. Just keep in mind, I have mine as well...

We are good.
Nanu

Hola amigo .Para mi todos los yacimiento son importantes .cada uno es diferente en contenido .Y yo quiero que los cuiden con el mismo respecto que otros monumentos. Aqui hay una rica herencia y somos parte de eso.Si uno olvida lo que es es mejor no estar en el mundo donde todos mos indentifica con sus culturas y asi es que yo me siento idntificada no por nacionalidad por mi cultura .Eso uno lo lleva a donde quiera no importa donde esta.Gracias por el comentario .Pero yo llevo mi protesta en la pagina del gobernador en facebook alli es que deben de todos escribir por que yo no me puedo quedar callada cuando la injusticia esta en este mundo.Asi que unete alli y veras que nos oyen claro que si ya yo lo conprove atrasvez de la radio dieron la noticia que la pagina de el habian muchos comentarios .Gracias por unirte a mi pagina

Hey samuel called me greek. What a joke this guys is. I have a friend told him to look at this discusion. He was cracking up. You see my friend is 100% greek and is first generation born here. I know him for 5 yo. He said I dont even look european. My friend las name is Kioriokokis very greek. But he said he is not even going to bother wasting his time.

Gracias por el oracion. Que el Senor te bendigas siempre iqualito con tu familia. Tau...tainoti! Oma Bahari....jaime rosario rivera....taino jibaro

I love your graphics and photos - they are so beautiful! The image entitled Yatekinex is so beautiful. I have noted, that there are some similiarities between the Aztec regalia or native dress - I'm not sure what you call your native dress, American Indians refer to ours as our regalia and it has special meaning to each of us. I wanted to let you know that the beautiful prayer that you have shared with me for my friend with cancer, I will give it to him today. He has been in the hospital and just returned home. I will let you know what he has to say - I am sure he will be thrilled. Again wado (thank you) for your generous nature and caring heart.

Tau Caracoli~

When it comes to my mom and beadwork, I kid you not when I tell you she is a whiz at it... It's scary. She laughs when I say so, but it is almost like she just looks at the stuff and it beads itself! Loom work or leather, medicine wheels, rosettes, barrettes, wristbands, headbands, armbands, necklaces, belts... the woman is fearless!

All kidding aside, my mom's bead work is truly something to be admired and I am very proud of her. She has folks from all over asking her to bead pieces for their regalia. The farthest so far has been a dude in CA!

As for photos... I can't say I have any that would show detail. We have some family pics where someone may be wearing their medicine wheel or a barrette, but I don't have pics of her work per se' and I can;t say she has any either. I know sometimes she would make copies of her pieces before mailing them out, but she would have those. I will ask her, though. She moved recently, so don't hold your breath.

In the meanwhile, I will look through my family pics and see if I find anything that shows a little something.

As for the designs she uses, as far as I know all of them are her own. When it comes to regalia, most of the time folks will just give her ideas on their people, shapes or colors they prefer, but the designs are all hers. She comes up with flowers and leaves, feathers and turtles, shapes and geometric designs that are awesome! She has also beaded the taino designs as well... She usually sits down with a pad of graph paper and pencil.

I hope to earn the skills she has someday.

Taino Ti
Nanu

Taino Ti, Ray~

Wonderful work! You translated the designs well and the embroidery is lovely. Good work! Do you use a computer program for the stitching patterns? There is one that is nice called PC Stitch. I am sure you can google it if you are interested. Graph paper works too, and is much more portable. :)

I haven't spoken to mom regarding images of her work and our family photos will show a little something but not enough to appreciate the beading... I am still working on it though.

Nabori'daka
Nanu

Here is a link to it. There are a lot of stitching programs out there, but this is one I like.

PCStitch

Good luck!
Nanu

This is beautiful work-

Thx so much for sharing it...

Do you do beadwork as well? I am sorry if the question sounds dense... but if you do, I would like to see that too..

:)
Nanu

Beading is not that hard to learn... it just takes practice.

You could use that pattern you showed me on the loom... it would work out just fine.

Did you ever try to follow the video you posted? That was a good intro to loom work.... it made me want to bead... :)

N

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.

Tau/Hello
Thank you for your comments my family is from Puerto Rico and I went back home to see family and friends. I felt it was neccessary to know who I was..some of the pic's where taken in PR others in Georgia at the powwows held here..I am the only one right now in Georgia who is coming out in Taino Regailia...please check my blog about the Gathering of 8,000 Drums

Though you might like to see the beadwork I made based on one of the designs you shared. I finished it a couple of days ago but only uploaded it today.

Finished product is little over 5" long and I think I will make it into a bracelet.
Taino Ti,
Nanu

Hello my friend,

I wanted to let you know I shared that prayer with the man who is dying from cancer - he was so happy! Thank you for sharing it with me so I could help him have something that has brought him such great comfort and peace. I told him a Taino friend shared it with me for him and he was so happy. Many blessings to you for your kind and giving heart.

With love and respect,

Your sister and friend,

Evening Rain

Taino Ti my new Friend:
I lived in PA for a very short time in 2005/2006, but I had to return to Iowa to care for my Mother who is in the advance stages of Alzheimers and my sister who is mentally challenged. I still have very close friends that i visit whenever I can.
I do many things, but painting on canvas? i have never tried. Painting feathers was something I once saw on line and then i have been self teaching myself. Are you an artist? Are the Birds you are holding? Are they yours? I love all animals but have a great respect for Birds. The red cardinal is one of my guardian spirits. Well, I am glad to have you as a new friend, Hope to hear from you soon.. Taino Ti, Maria

Taino Ti
No I am not that Maria. I grew up in Iowa and have been here most of my life.

maria

I would be happy to do a Sol de Jayuya feather for you. I usually charge 20.00 for the feather but would be interested in a trade for feathers that your birds sheds. Let me know. I will get started on your feather this weekend. Thank you.

Maria

Tau Caracoli

Forgive me for the delay in my response. Something has come up concerning my Mother and needed to be treated medically.
As for feathers, I use both tail and wing but I prefer the wing. Please make sure they are free of splits or holes. I prepare the feathers to be canvas like, but if there is a split in the feather and paint hits it, the paint runs and it therefore the art and feather will be ruined. Hope to hear from you soon.
Taino Ti,
M

greetings and blessings!
did you make it to the chocolate event?
i hope you did and had a wonderful time!
peace~c

Tau: Last week you expressed interest in a painted feather of Sol de Jayuya.for exchange of feathers from your birds. Are you still interested?

Maria

did you know that video was made where I am living for this year?
:-))

Hey Ray~

Thanks for the youtube clip... I love What the Bleep do we Know? I have had it for years now and still play it over and over... it's a very good documentary. The priest is one of my favorites, right behind Fred Wolf and the chiropractor....

Happy Monday!
N

I agree...

Post it in the Movie Group - even if it isn't an indigenous film- and you an I can begin a discussion about it. It may encourage others to see it and add to the conversation.

:)
N

Hey~

If you are still on, we can chat :)

N

Hi Caracoli...the inspiration for my paintings is my desire to bring history alive. Hopefully I'll be able to create an exhibit to be shown in history museums...like I have with my paintings of Florida's Lost Tribes. I think I met Dan Townsend when I had my gallery a few years back....great work. I'll check on Penny Slinger, thanks.

I loved the words in arawako that u put on my page so much that I'll say then everry night before going to bed. they where inspirring.

Takahi Caracoli,
Thanks for the kind words. Wish you could have been her for the 5ta Jornada.
May YaYa Bless you and your loved ones, now and always,
Love, Hugs, Peace & Blessings,
Taíno-tí,
Joanna & Family

I didn't know anyone was interested in that blog.

Ha, ha, ha.

You are the only one who knew. Are you traditional?

Ha, ha.

What kind of costume do you put on?

Joe

White man clothing is what we wear all the time my friend.

Some of it can be enticing. Just check out the latest Fredericks or Victoria's catalog.

Hee, hee, hee.

And they are the basis of your shirts.

But I do like what you are doing. It takes a lot more creativity to make something yours than it does to paint petroglyphs or sew seashells onto white cotton burlap.

And yours are more traditional.

But don't tell no one I told you that.

Hee, hee.

Joe

Thank you, I'm honored.

Ray, it was great to finally meet you in person yesterday. My family and I had a wonderful time. I look forward to attending more events like these. Blessings, Ivy