How did the Taino live?
Background
The Siboneys, a fishing group, were the sole inhabitants (the only people) of Boriquen (which is today's Puerto Rico). Eventually, the Taino, one of the Arawak peoples, migrated from the Northeastern coast of South America to the island, where they flourished (grew).
The Taino hunted, fished, and farmed. They harvested cotton, tobacco, and edible tubers. They wove cotton, carved in wood and stone, made small model heads representing their gods, as well as clay containers and utensils which they decorated with engraved or printed designs.
The Taino had important interaction with the Carib, a war-making group of farmers who captured some of the Caribbean Islands from the Arawaks. Caciques (like our mayors) ruled the Taino, led by councils of elders.
The Taino placed important emphasis on their religion, which focused on life after death, superior and immortal deities (gods and goddess), and deceased (died) ancestors who had become protective spirits.
The National Council of Caciques led Taino resistance (fight agaisnt) to the Spanish attacks, which was similar to those mounted by rival groups (enemies) who lived in the Southern Hemisphere. This resistance (fight) lasted until the end of the 17th century (1699). Taino were forced to provide free labor (slaves) in the mines and to adopt (change to) the religion of the Spanish.
Many of the Taino committed collective suicide rather than submit to the invaders and others fled to the mountains to continue their attacks against the Spaniards. Many joined forces with other groups of peoples living on Boriquen (today's Puerto Rico), including runaway African slaves, in a common struggle to maintain their independence (freedom).
