The American Nations, Vol. I.: Or, Outlines of a National History of the Ancient and Modern Nations of North and South AmericaRafinesque, C. S. (Constantine Samuel)
History
The American Nations, Vol. I.: Or, Outlines of a National History of the Ancient and Modern Nations of North and South America
Rafinesque, C. S. (Constantine Samuel)
Indians; Indians -- Origin; Taino Indians; Taino language
_60th Event._ Meantime Cuba was also divided into 7 kingdoms, 1. _Mayzi_
or _Maiti_ opposite Hayti, 2. _Bayamo_ west of it, 3. _Cueyba_ in the
centre, whence the name of _Cuba_, probably the head kingdom, 4.
_Camayegua_ or _Camaguey_ inhabited by a different people, famous tribe,
probably _Comayaguas_ of Honduras, or Olmecas, 5. _Xagua_ near the middle,
6. _Macaca_ in the south opposite Jamaica, 7. _Haniguanica_ at the west
end where are the high mountains _Uhima_.
_61st Event._ The island of Jamaica was divided in two kingdoms. Boriquen
also Buchena or Burichina (D) now Porto-Rico, formed one, but had 26
Cazics in as many valleys, the high mountains of Guayamo being desert. The
_Yucayas_ (white islands) now Bahama, were numberless, the largest being
Amana, Zigateo, Bahama, Bimini, Sumana, Yuma, Guanahani, Saomoto, Abaco
&c. The Cazics were much respected there, being also Bohitos or Behiques
(priests) judges and stewards. Labor was in common and the daily food
given from the public stores. Some islands were at war; but only used
sticks in their quarrels. Yet all the islands formed a single kingdom, the
great Cazic resided at Saomoto.
_62d Event._ The Caribas of Ayay having multiplied, spread again over the
eastern islands: they are repulsed in Boriquen; but meeting their ancient
tribes in _Curucueria_ now Guadeloupe: it becomes their chief island:
whence they send war parties to 1000 miles off, even to the continent; and
occupy _Galana_ now Marigalante, _Matinino_ or _Madinino_ now Martinique,
_Liamaca_ now Antigua, _Liamuiga_ St. Christopher, _Bayaraco_ St. Vincent,
_Bequia_ Grenada &c. called collectively _Caliaqua_ the islands of the
Calibis.
_63d Event._ They molest the shores of Boriquen, where they are always
repulsed, but often steal men and children to eat them.
_64th Event._ They assail the shores of Hayti, where they are much feared;
signals by smoke are made when they appear. In Higuey and Caizimu, eastern
regions of the island, the Haytians become warlike to defend themselves,
and use poisoned arrows as they did. Elsewhere the Haytians used only
darts, lances and macanas, peculiar wooden swords.
_65th Event._ The Caribs went as far as the shores of Cuba, and desolated
the south shores: the Cubans removing their towns inland. They were called
Canibas and Canimas: and succeed in forming a settlement at Baracoa to the
south-east.
_66th Event._ They were repulsed in their attempt against the warlike
Jamaicans who used arrows; they do not appear to have molested the
Yucayans, owing to their former alliance and gift of the island Ayay.
These events are chiefly collected from Columbus’ own account, and
personal narratives of his travels, with other retrospective hints by the
Spanish writers. They will also afford the notices of the subsequent
events.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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