A dark dawn The Taino Spirit Lives On
A dark dawn arrived upon the Tainos on the islands of the Caribbean.
The gatekeepers of God's paradise were about to encounter a great evil. Hidden in the hearts of men never seen upon the natives was the plague of destruction.
The Spaniards brought darkness to the native people of the Caribbean. They endure horrific acts of violence and diseases of mass destruction and were enslaved by the Old World's religious beliefs and practices causing confusion to the natives. Some practices of religion beliefs have spread throughout the world often destroying unique cultural identities.
Around the bend
Around the bend, atop the shore-line cliffs and sandy beaches, the caribbean natives set eyes for the first time on men with skin that glistened like ivory and carried deadly sticks that made the sound of thunder and flashed like lightning.
The Old World had arrived to conquer the islands and all their inhabitants. The spoils of the New World were gathered with an iron fist and the spill of blood and sweat of the Taino people and the Africanos. The pale gods came with a fury lusting to dominate the
New World and they would crush whatever stood in their way.
Peace
Peace, as the Caribbean natives knew it was no longer felt again.
They had seen fear entered the hearts of many and take over the villages. Every morning as the beauty of guey (sun) appeared with all its glory it brought the nightmares of Spanish tyrany upon them once again. Paradise had changed for the native people of the islands and their beautiful light in their eyes were darkened and their laughter was silenced. The proud Taino sacrificed themselves and many were murdered by the invaders. Today their sacred blood still float in the rivers and creeks and their footsteps are buried beneath the sandy beaches.
They had seen fear entered the hearts of many and take over the villages. Every morning as the beauty of guey (sun) appeared with all its glory it brought the nightmares of Spanish tyrany upon them once again. Paradise had changed for the native people of the islands and their beautiful light in their eyes were darkened and their laughter was silenced. The proud Taino sacrificed themselves and many were murdered by the invaders. Today their sacred blood still float in the rivers and creeks and their footsteps are buried beneath the sandy beaches.
One day
One day the blue skies reappeared through the densed tropical
forest when a Taino stood-up to one of the pale gods and realized
that they shed blood just like them. The natives began to fight back, but the Spaniard's overpowered their primitive weapons and many Tainos were lost. Those who survived the battles and diseases fled to the dense forest reaching the mountains where they still exist connected spiritually with their ancestors celebrating their traditions and culture.
Among the Taino spirit
Among the Taino Spirit burns the passion to
continue these traditions and ceremonial events that have been
passed down from generation to generation. They do not want
to be forgotten as a native Caribbean living among the diversity
of the islanders in their paradise.
I hope the paintings are found pleasing and true to the
Taino Spirit. This Spirit, both godly and free, will exist as
long as the Taino Spirit lives on by inspiring the artistic eye
of the artist.
Click on youtube links and see #videos explaining some of the #Taino #ceremonial #traditions, #history, #images of #Tainos and #American Natives.
http://youtu.be/R4wY2Ai_CJU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=ZuQGmE8RkBk
A map of the Caribbean below gives you an idea of the islands inhabit by natives.
#TAINO MAP