arawak

The Arawaks are American Indians that live in the Greater Antilles and South America. Their subgroup, the Taino, were the first people that met Christopher Columbus on Hispaniola. In Arawak culture, women and children grew crops and crafted at home, while men protected the land as warriors. Their most famous creation is the hammock, which were adopted by Spaniards to increase room on their ships. The people were also known for their creative pottery, basket weaving and stone sculpture.

Although most of the population was affected by diseases such as smallpox, a small number of mainland Arawak live in South America in modern day. Many live in Guyana, while others are spread out throughout Venezuela, Suriname and French Guiana.