Taino artform could be seen in all aspects of their daily lives, such as the way they created their tools, utensils, furniture, built their homes and adorned and decorated their bodies
The original inhabitants of a particular region or land, especially those who have a historical and cultural connection to the area predating the arrival of outside influences
Historical Connection: Indigenous people have a longstanding historical presence in a particular region, often dating back generations or even millennia
Cultural Distinctiveness: Indigenous communities typically have unique cultural traditions, languages, belief systems, and practices that distinguish them from other groups
Close Ties to the Land: Many indigenous cultures have a deep connection to their traditional lands, often viewing them not just as a resource but as an integral part of their identity, spirituality, and way of life
Collective Rights: Indigenous people often advocate for the recognition of their collective rights, including land rights, cultural preservation, and self-determination
They had varying skin tones, ranging from light to dark brown
They had different hair types, including straight, wavy, or curly hair
They spoke Arawakan languages, which were part of the larger Arawakan language family
They had a deep connection to their ancestral lands and relied on the natural resources of the Caribbean islands for sustenance and incorporated their environment into their cultural practices
They lived in larger houses called bohio, had the largest and only painted canoe, their wives wore the longest skirts, they practiced polygamy, when they got old they were strangled to death, wrapped in cotton and buried with ornaments
Their gods were represented by zemis which they made from wood, bone, stone or cotton, which were felt to contain the forces of nature or the spirits of the ancestors