1493
When the
Spanish first set foot on the island of Boriken (known today as Puerto
Rico) they were greeted by the good hearted indigenous people who
dwelled there known as Taino, which literally translates as "The
Peaceful Ones". The Taino welcomed these strange visitors with kindness
and patience. But for all the kindness that was showed them the Spanish
returned their generosity by stealing their land and their way of life.
Beaten, dismembered, stolen from their lands and enslaved, these
peaceful people reminded the invaders that they were also warriors.
Men and
women such as Jumacao, Agueybanax the Brave, Yuaraibo, Anacaona,
Enriquillo and Guarionex fought the Spanish heralding battles with the
war cry “guazabara.” The Taino developed a specific method of combat
using the macana (war club) and *machete to fight the Toledo swords of
the Spanish.
*Historical
note: The machete was introduced to the Taino by the Spanish and
was not an indigenous weapon; its use did not come until years after
the first Spanish arrived in the Caribbean and was further perfected
by the Jibaro. |
