The Tainos

The Tainos were an Indigenous people who inhabited the Caribbean islands, including Puerto Rico, Haiti, and parts of the Dominican Republic, before European contact. They lived in organized villages, practiced agriculture, fishing, and hunting, and had rich cultural traditions, including art, music, and spiritual beliefs. The Tainos were among the first Indigenous peoples encountered by Columbus in 1492, but their populations declined rapidly due to diseases, warfare, and colonization. Today, Taino descendants preserve their heritage through cultural practices, language, and history, contributing to the Caribbean's diverse cultural landscape.