The Taíno, an Indigenous people of the Caribbean, historically resided and established their communities primarily across the islands of the Greater Antilles. These crucial territories were the ancestral homelands where the majority of Taíno people lived.
Historical Taino Homelands
The principal islands historically inhabited by the Taíno include:
- Cuba: As the largest island in the Greater Antilles, Cuba was home to significant Taíno populations.
- Jamaica: This island also supported flourishing Taíno communities.
- Hispaniola: Now divided into Haiti and the Dominican Republic, Hispaniola was a central region for Taíno culture and societal structures.
- Puerto Rico: An integral part of the Taíno ancestral domain, known for its rich cultural heritage.
The following table summarizes these historical Taíno homelands:
| Island | Current Country/Territory |
|---|---|
| Cuba | Cuba |
| Jamaica | Jamaica |
| Hispaniola | Haiti, Dominican Republic |
| Puerto Rico | Puerto Rico (U.S. territory) |
These islands were the core areas where the Taíno, a subgroup of the Arawakan Indians from northeastern South America, built their societies and lived for centuries before European contact. While contemporary populations identifying as Taíno are found in many places due to migration and diaspora, their historical roots and largest concentrations were firmly established in these Caribbean islands.
