Thank you for returning and adding your thoughts.

I believe that it’s not so much the lifestyle that is important as is the attitude in which we live that lifestyle.

One Taino may participate in every powwow, ceremony and areyto that pops up, wear tons of “authentic”, island imported “stuff” on their regalia, which was made by Taino hands, also from the islands, and still exhibit the attitude of the conqueror. Whereas a person who makes their own taino-wear out of materials that may not be “traditional”, gets to maybe one ceremony a year, and speaks of the differences between colonial induced mentality and indigenous mentality, may be looked down upon.

There are artisans that make their Taino stuff just to sell it and make a buck, while others are creating from their spirit and thus are being of service.

In my opinion, it is that attitude in which they live their lifestyle and walk their path that reflects “Daca Taino”.

The various yucayekes that exist today are less than 20 years old. Thats not very long and I think in that time we have accomplished alot.

Many of the people that pioneered this modern Taino resurgence are still here doing their thing. Many have come & gone so today we can expect that some of the people who are with us today will not be with us tomorrow.

Thats why lifestyle is so important.

Daca Taino

I am Taino

When I’m with my child

When I do my Artisan work

When I speak my language

When I commune with my people

When I wear regalia

When I dance

When I pray to Yocahu, Atabey and the power of the Cemi’s

All that & more is my culture that I keep alive

Thank you Joanna Soto Aviles for that moment of clarity

Caracoli

Thank you for taking the time to read and adding your own comments. I agree with you that these issues are important to us all and there needs to be the space for dialogue- on all sides of the table.

nabori’daka,
Nanu

Its good that you thought enough about our questions enough to write about them.

These issues concern us all

My Taino identity caused me to join the organized Taino Resurgence movement that began in NYC in the 1990′s

As a Taino from NYC I was exposed to the American Indian Dynamic and that has forever changed me and my values.
For that I’m eternally gratefull.

Island Tainos live on Mother Atabey among the flora and fauna of our ancient ones. They have their identity and expouse their culture from their teachers.

Stateside Tainos live in a different place and expouse their culture from their Native American teachers.

No Taino whether they live in the states or the Islands is more Taino than the other.

We must find a common ground with respect for one another and respect for our culture and ceremonies.

I will comment further at a later date

nabori daca Taino

tainoray