The Arawaks

The Arawaks were an indigenous group of people who originally inhabited the Caribbean, including islands like the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and Hispaniola, before Europeans arrived. They were skilled farmers, fishermen, and craftworkers, known for their pottery and weaving. The Arawaks lived in organized communities with shared leadership and relied on agriculture, cultivating crops such as cassava, maize, and yams. Their society was rich in oral traditions and spiritual beliefs. Unfortunately, after European contact in the late 15th century, many Arawaks suffered from violence, diseases, and colonization, which drastically reduced their population and cultural influence.