User:Kdotlamar39/Jamaican Arawaks

= Jamaican Arawaks = From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Jamaican Arawaks, also referred to as the Taíno, are an indigenous group of people that were the first to inhabit the island of Jamaica roughly 2,500 years ago. They are a subgroup of the Arawak people, an umbrella group of indigenous peoples that originally lived in much of South America and the Antilles.

Contents

 * History
 * Legacy and Influence
 * Notable Jamaican Arawaks
 * References
 * Bibliography

Settlement of Jamaica
The Jamaican Arawaks first arrived in Jamaica approximately 2,500 years ago, after migrating from the Yucatán peninsula and Belize. They were part of the group known as the Western Taínos (occupied Jamaica, Cuba, and Bahamas), with the other groups known as the Eastern Taínos (Lesser Antilles) and the Classic Taínos (Puerto Rico and Hispaniola). Upon settling in Jamaica, it was named Xaymaca, which translates to "land of wood and water". While they spread out across the island, they were primarily concentrated along the coasts due to their fish-centred diets.

Arrival of Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus and his crew arrived to Jamaica in 1494. The island was promptly colonised by the Spanish, who ruled over the island and the Arawaks until 1655.

Coat of Arms
The Jamaican Arawaks were instrumental in the settlement and establishment of modern-day Jamaica. The nation's Coat of Arms bears a shield emblazoned with pineapples and the emblem "Out of Many, One People", which speaks to the country's diverse ancestry. The shield is held by two Jamaican Arawaks.