Who were the Caribs and the Arawaks?
Quick Answer
The Caribs and the Arawaks were the original inhabitants of the island of Trinidad. When Christopher Columbus arrived in Trinidad in 1498, both tribes of people were enslaved or killed or died off from various diseases.
Continue ReadingFull Answer
The Carib and Arawak tribes are widely believed to be the primary original native peoples of Trinidad. The native people, collectively known as Amerindians, called the island Ka-ire or I-ere, but when Columbus arrived, he named it Trinidad after the Holy Trinity.
According to Caribbean Beat, it is believed that Columbus viewed the Arawaks as a peaceful tribe, helpful to the Spanish settlers and willing to convert to Christianity, while the Caribs were viewed as war-loving savages who had worked their way from island to island, killing other tribes and eating the men. However, mainstream belief as of 2014, according to Trinidadian journalist Kim Johnson, is that the Arawaks were actually the Taino people, and there is no archaeological evidence that the Caribs were cannibals.
Queen Isabella passed a law that no native person could be enslaved, so it is believed that Columbus justified enslaving the native people who resisted the Spaniards, the Caribs, by claiming they were savage cannibals based on flimsy evidence or a misunderstanding of cultural rituals. Queen Isabella later passed another law allowing any native person to be enslaved to replace the native people dying in the gold mines of Cuba.
Learn more about Cultures & TraditionsRelated Questions
-
Q:
What is the only Caribbean island with large oil reserves?
A: The only Caribbean island with large oil reserves is Trinidad and Tobago. In January 2013, the two-island state's estimated number of barrels of proved cru... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What are some tourist attractions in Cuba?
A: Some tourist attractions in Cuba include Old Havana, Varadero, Trinidad, Playa Paraiso, Castillo de San Pedro del Morro, Parque Nacional Vinales, Cayo Coco... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
Where can you find real estate listings for Trinidad and Tobago?
A: Real estate listings for properties located in Trinidad and Tobago can be found on many websites, including TheCaribbeanRealtor.com, TerraCaribbean.com, Tr... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
How much time is required to renew a Trinidad passport?
A: The renewal of a Trinidad passport generally takes between five and 10 business days from the date all information is received, according to the Consulate ... Full Answer >Filed Under:
You May Also Like
-
Q:
What type of shelter did the Chumash Indians live in?
-
Q:
Is a person's Chinese age the same as his or her actual age?
-
Q:
What kind of clothes are commonly worn in Mexico?
-
Q:
What are characteristics of Greek men?
-
Q:
What do the Spanish eat on New Year's Eve?
-
Q:
What kinds of clothes do people in Algeria wear?
