The Heritage and Culture of Puerto Ricans
Rose Christoforo-Mitchell
Your feedback is important to us!
After viewing our curriculum units, please take a few minutes to help us understand how the units, which were created by public school teachers, may be useful to others.
Give FeedbackReading #6
The Arrival of African Slaves
|
When gold failed to make the Spaniards dreams of great wealth come true, they turned to sugar cane. Sugar cane had been grown in Puerto Rico from the very beginning of Spanish rule. The Spaniards came to depend on sugar cane as a valuable resource.
Planting and harvesting sugar cane was hard work. In the beginning the Spaniards depended on the Tainos, but with time there were not enough Tainos left to work for the Spaniards. Many Tainos had rebelled, others had fled, and others became ill and died. With the growing demand for slaves to help in planting and harvesting sugar, even more slaves were needed. By 1530 there were more Africans in Puerto Rico as slaves than all other people together.
The black slaves had few rights. They were allowed to save money that they earned on their own. Some slaves were able to use the money to buy their freedom. Some freemen continued to work in the field, others took up crafts, such as carpentry.
Activities
1.
|
Discuss the cultural impact: of the African cultural legacy on the Puerto Rican culture.
|
2.
|
Have students do research about distinguished Puerto Ricans who fought for the abolition of slavery. Such as: Ramon Emerterio Betances, Segundo Ruiz Belvis, Francisco Mariano Quiones, and Jose J. Acosta.
|
3.
|
Obtain and play records in the classroom of Puerto Rican plena, la bomba, and other African musical expression of Puerto Rico.
|
4.
|
Invite parents and community members to visit classes and request them to discuss themes in Puerto Rican culture of African traditions.
|