Topic:

Asses the similarities and differences between the Tainos (Arawaks) and
Kalinagos (Caribs).

Aims:

To find out and compare the similarities and differences among the Tainos
and Kalinagos
To educate the readers on the way of life of the Tainos and Kalinagos.
To asses to what degree the Tainos and Kalinagos were similar, as well as
different.

Rationale:

To begin with the word Taino means good or noble, whereas Kalinago means
brave and strong.
The similarities and differences among the Tainos and Kalinagos vary. Before
going in depth and discussing them let us first examine them
individually\separately. The Taions agreed that it was very suitable for them to
settle in the Greater Antilles. This was so because they believed that they would
have enough space to hunt, for agricultural purposes; also it served as a great
scope for development. Their further developed culture became evidently advanced
in the Caribbean. The Taino Arawaks gradually developed a society which was
comparable with the early Neolithic cultures of Europe. However, regular contact
was maintained with the Greater Antilles by the Arawaks who resided in The
Bahamas, mostly through trading voyages. As a result the influence of the classic
Taino culture spread throughout the Weast Indies.
In great contrast, the Kalinagos occupied Guadeloupe and the rest of the
Lesser Antilles. Known knowledge of the Kalinago is based almost entirely on the
written reports of early European observes like Father Breton. The Kalinago had
completed their conquest of the Lesser Antilles not long before Columbus and the
Spanish arrived from across the Atlantic. Unlike the Taino met by the Spanish who
came soon after Columbus , the Kalinago had arrived in the islands recently
enough to have retained many of the traditions of their mainland origin. The
Kalinago were accustomed to travelling back and forth between the mainland and
the Windward island. One of the major reasons for the Kalinagos raids was to
obtain additional wives. This was a method aimed at avoiding inter-breeding
among their small communities.
Generally, the Amerindians history and way of life have always seemed quite
interesting to the researcher. The researcher has always been enthusiastic about
learning about the indigenous people, since they were the first to actually discover
and settle in Guyana. Theyre way of survival back then was very strange which
makes it so interesting to the researcher now. Therefore, this chosen topic will
allow the researcher to explore and find out more about the. The researcher
intends to find out the meaning behind their way of life, and also what makes the
Taions and Kalinagos similar and different (inparticular).

Body:
The Tainos were fortunate enough to have much space for their settlements,
hunting, agriculture, and a greater scope for development. They were simple,

peaceful people. But the Kalinagos, on the other hand, were not as stable as the
Taions were. They were accustomed to travelling back and forth between the
mainland and Windward Islands; and enjoyed raiding Arawak settlements as a
form of bride capture.
The Tainos were short, to medium height, well-shaped, slightly built (except in
Hispaniola, they were plump). Their skin was described as olive (brown and
smooth). It was custom for Arawak babies to have their foreheads flattened by
using boards or bandages. This was considered as a mark of beauty for them.
Arawaks had broad noses and flared nostrils. Their hair was black, course and
worn long. In some places they were completely naked, but in Hispaniola and
Cuba the married women were allowed to wear a piece of cloth (called nagua)
over their loins. Painting their bodies was also something very common among the
Arawaks. Like the Tainos, the Kalinagos also painted their bodies. However, the
Kalinagos were taller than the Arawaks. They were also stronger than them
because of their violent lifestyle. Their skin was brown as well, and they usually
went naked. The men wore feathered headdresses and jewelry through their lips
and noses. The caracole was a necklace of bones and teeth of victims. The women
wore rassada (bracelets) around their arms and legs. The Caribs were said to be
very beautiful; they were in better physical health than the Arawaks because of
dietary habits.
The Arawaks hunted and grew enough food for themselves and their families.
They did not store or trade food through. They survived on a well balanced diet. To
aid with hunting, the Arawaks had a small barkless dog (alco). They showed great
cunningness through their method of catching ducks. First, they made the ducks
used to seeing gourds downstream, then they disguised themselves using the very
gourds and caught and drowned the ducks. The Arawaks ate lots of fruits and
vegetables, and exhibited great agricultural skills. It is known that their main dish
was pepperpot mad of meat, vegetables, nuts and pepper. The Arawaks made
intoxicating beverages using cassava and maize. This was not common though.
Similarly, the Caribs also had balanced diets, although it was not as varied as the
Arawaks. The Caribs ate almost the same foods as the Arawaks but had more
protein. Even though they knew about farming it was not a common practice for
them. The Caribs had many superstitions which affected their diets. For example,
they believed that turtle meat made you stupid, eating crab before voyages would

bring storms, etc. They seasoned their foods with pepper sauces (couii and
taumalin). Like the Arawaks, the Caribs also made intoxicating beverages. It is
believed that the Caribs are wiser than the Arawaks because they did not consume
fatty foods.
It is known that religion played a very significant role in the lives of the
Arawaks. They believed in a sky-god and an earth-goddess; they made zemis to
represent the forces controlled by the gods, like rain, wind, fire or like fertility in
the case of the earth-goddesss zemi. They also used the bones of their ancestors to
make zemis and worshipped them. Some of the Arawaks religious stories were
very beautiful, like the one about children playing by a river became lost and
called out toa-toa, the Arawak word for mother which sounds like the noise frogs
make, so they were turned into frogs. The Arawaks agreed that there was life after
death indeed in coyaba (heaven), a peaceful place which was safe. There they
thought they would meet their ancestors.

Acknowledgements
This project could have not been possible without the aid and assistance of a
number of persons so it is my desire to thank those persons for their massive
support which contributed to the completion of this project. First and foremost, I

express great gratitude to my family for their consistent guidance and support
throughout the completion of this project.
Also, much thanks to my teacher who corrected and guided me, making
this task a success.

Appendix