The descendents of native TAINO people of Dominican republic have been left on the back burner for too long, struggling to regain their culture. Most of our people including myself, who did not know our true identity were victims of a lost culture and a way of life that was hidden. But believe me, as more people are coming forward, seeking their heritage.


Dominicans with high percentages of Taíno ancestry, the descendants of “cimarrones” who ran away from the Spanish-dominated regions of the country to settle around today’s Baitoa, San José de las Matas , Inoa Abajo, and Caobanico, among others.



Here are a couple of pictures of people here in the DR with Taino traits.

This lady is a native taino. she was born in a small town between La Vega and Santiago where most of the people have a big Taino desendence.



here is a picture of the guy who looks like he stepped out of the Brazilan jungle. He works for Edenorte and all the guys who work with him call him "El Peruano".


This young man is a batu player from Azua. Batu is the ancient Taino game traditionaly played in a "batey".
There are three major groups of Batu players in Azua. They have been playing since 1970. This young man belongs to grupo Athene.
All the best
Baracutei



Taino Survival in the 21st Century Dominican Republic, by Peter Ferbel

http://www.kacike.org/FerbelEnglish.html

Yumnuck, what are they doing now to ensure the survival of this lineage ??Tainos, after all, did not become extinct. They were absorbed into the mainstream, and sure enough the the Indian genetics trace will remain in some of the populations.

Thanks for the info USADR, Poponlaburra, and everyone else. I'm willing to look at that Lynne Guitar research when I have time.

I'm thankful that I was raised to not look down on anyone because of culture or nation of origin. Too bad other African Americans have looked down on Haitians and others. I hope that I will be able to get along with Caribbean folks I meet in spite of cultural differences. Actually I always have no problem getting along with Caribbean people I meet, so I could probably answer my own question. I guess it depends on each individual's attitude in getting along with one another. Strangely, many Caribbean people of various nationalities that I have met often thought I was not an American at all, but from one island or another.

I think it's great that the Tainos have not entirely died out. The most important thing is their spirit, which seems well worth preserving. If they were hospitable to Europeans when they first met, I think that history of hospitality is just one of the things Dominicans could be proud of, even if the situation didn't turn out completely well. That's the way I see it. I'm sure you all have different things about your Taino heritage which interest you personally.

antonioj previously said: Yumnuk, what are they doing now to ensure the survival of this lineage ??Tainos, after all, did not become extinct. They were absorbed into the mainstream, and sure enough the the Indian genetics trace will remain in some of the populations



To be truthful I really don't know.... however I hope that some of the natives remain Living in rural areas so they'll continue to marry each other.



Androcles, Well said.

Hello my name is Jorge Estevez AKA Baracutei. I noticed that in some posts on this thread I am quoted. If there are any questions that anyone has regarding Taino continuities, survival and revival, I would be most happy to answer.
All the best

Wonderful! Great to have you here, Baracutei! I'm pretty sure you're going to get bombarded with questions going forward ....So, let me start by asking, 1) Which areas of the DR currently have the highest concentrations of Taino descendants? 2) Are there any accurate estimates of the percentages of Taino lineage still present among Dominicans?......These are the first that pop into my mind, I'm sure I'll have more questions as we go along

Saludos,
Thank you for the questions! no time wasted. I love it. Here goes:

There are three current DNA tests that are used to determine deep ancestry. One is mitochondiral DNA (mtDNA), this dna is passed down from the mother to her children, although only the female children can pass on the mtDNA. Then there is the y-chromosone test which is DNA passed through the fathers line, but only to his male children. And of course there is a nuclear DNA test which gives you percentages of all your lineages.

There haev been two major studies in the DR using the mtDNA both conducted by Juan Martinez Cruzado of the Universtity of Mayaguez PR. The results indicate that anywhere from 18-23 percent of the current population has mtDNA that is Native American (Taino). That said please note that even though a person does not have mtDNA that is native he can still posses much nuclear dna. Most Dominicans score very high on nuclear dna testing . An individual using the latter test may show up as being anyhwere from 3 percent to 50 percent Native American!

The tests revealed that the highest concentrations are in the Cibao, followed by the San Juan de La Maguana region, then by Azua and last but not least the Higuey region.

The African mt DNA was of course higher which was to be expected, but for a people that supposed have been extinct for 500 years, this lasting genetic contribution is of huge value and interest.
That said, anyone familiar with campesino culture who takes the time to study Taino material culture would come away perplexed as to why Dominicans retain so much Indigenous material culture. The DNA conclusions simply point to the fact that the taino never became extinct. That and the fact that in the Caribbean we have over 3200 words of taino extraction in our contemporary Spanish
I personally have always identified with my taino roots. Most of my knowledge came from listening to my grandparents speak of the campo. Everything from Casabe making to Ciguapas.

These estimates I would argue are not yet conclusive simply because we have apopulation of nearly ten million people. There were only about a 1000 DNA samples taken. I am sure howeer that the deeper one travels into the campo there more taino extraction one would find. The again the percentages may go down. The one thing that can be said matter of fact is, that the Taino left descendants and I am proud to be one of them.

Identity to me is a personal issue. One cannot simply expect someone else to identify with a certain racial group based on our own perceptions. For example President Obama is Black an white, having dark skin but growing up culturally white he should be able to claim both. But our society makes us rigid in these interpretations and hence he is seen only as black. In cases like this, the individual chooses and I think that is fair.
All the best.
and please keep them coming!
baracutei

Baracutei welcome and thanks for stopping by the board! My question for you is if you are aware of other non-genetics based research. Is there other significant ongoing archaeological/anthropological work?

Also a note since both Pres. Obama and the notion of everyone's right to choose identities has come up a few times on the thread I'd just like to mention that whatever we may state about how and where he was raised, or his father's origins, Pres. Obama has been very clear about how he identifies. We can be sure he did not choose lightly given his name selection (wouldn't a Barry Dunham have had an easier time?) and his obviously contemplative nature so let's respect that...just as we are speaking about respect for the third part of the DR pie.

Welcome home Baracutei


Baracutei, we must thank you Sir, to be our mentor. It wasn't possible for us to achive this without you.

Be our mentor forever.

Thanks a lot,

Please give my regards to Dominican mestizo for making this possible.

Baracutei,

One of our Forum members asked a question I couldn't answer.

I would love to know the answer as well.

antonioj previously said: Yumnuk, what are they doing now to ensure the survival of this lineage ??Tainos, after all, did not become extinct. They were absorbed into the mainstream, and sure enough the the Indian genetics trace will remain in some of the populations.