Myths The Taino had an intense relationship with their environment both spiritually and physically. A Taino myth explaining the origin of seeds conveys a view of the close connection between, the people, the spirit world and the environment. "Pachacamac, who was the son of the sun, made a man and women in the dunes of Lurin. There was nothing to eat, and the man died of hunger. “When the woman bent over searching for roots, the sun entered her and made a child. Jealous, Pachacamac caught the newborn baby and chopped it to pieces. But suddenly he repented; he was scared of the anger of his father, the sun, and he scattered the pieces about the world. “From the teeth of the dead baby, corn grew; from the ribs and bones, cassava. The blood made the land fertile, and the fruit trees and shade trees rose from the sown flesh. “Thus, the women and men born on these shores, where it never rains, find food." This story relates the affinity the people had with the natural world. The seeds from which the food grows were born from a union between their own ancient mother and the Sun. The earth fertilized the people's own half brother; the food that was created nourishes them, and it is the reason for their survival. Another myth that illustrates the Tainos close relationship with nature and the spirit world is their parable concerning the origin of tobacco. The Taino regarded tobacco as a sacred plant. It was offered to Christopher Columbus as a symbol of peace and friendship. Tobacco was used to induce vomiting for cleansing rituals, for spiritual blessings, as a poultice for massages and as a medicine. Tobacco was also smoked in the form of cigars, simply for pleasure. "The people had implored the Grandfather to let them try the flesh of the wild pig, which did not yet exist. The Grandfather, architect of the Universe, kidnapped the small children and turned them into wild pigs. He created a big tree so they could escape into the sky. “The people pursued the pigs up the tree from branch to branch and managed to kill a few. The Grandfather ordered the ants to bring down the tree. When the tree fell, the people suffered broken bones. Ever since that great fall, we all have divided bones and so are able to bend our fingers and legs or tilt our bodies. “With the dead boars, a great banquet was made in the village. The people besought the Grandfather to come down from the sky, where he was minding the children saved from the hunt, but he preferred to stay up there. “The Grandfather sent tobacco to take his place among men. Smoking, the people talked with god. " This parable is indicative of much more than the origin of tobacco. The myth of the gift of the boar offers a powerful insight into the Taino worldview, and symbolizes a union between man, nature, and the divine. The fact that they gave up their children in exchange for the boar
stresses how essential the boar is to their culture. The boar was
in fact a transformation of their own children, and when the Taino
hunted the boar, they hunted their own. This has not a barbaric
sentiment, rather it is symbolic of their connection with that which
nourishes them. |