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Books for student reading list are so indicated.
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Alegría, Ricardo E. . Ball Courts and Ceremonial Plazas in the West Indies. New Haven:Yale University Publications in Anthropology, no. 79, 1983.
This is an informative publication about the ballgame of the Taínos by an undisputed expert in the field.
• __________. Discovery, Conquest, and Colonization of Puerto Rico, 1493-1599. San Juan: Colección de Estudios Puertorrique–os, 1974.
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This book on the discovery and early colonization of Puerto Rico was relied on heavily by me in this unit. Available in both English and
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Spanish.
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• __________. History of the Indians of Puerto Rico. San Juan: Colección de Estudios Puertorrique–os, 1970.
Another excellent book by Alegría, and a must read for teachers unfamiliar with the Indians of Puerto Rico. Available in both English and Spanish.
• Arnold, Sandra. Child of the Sun, a Cuban legend. New York: Troll Associates,1995.
A good example of a legend by the Ciboney Indians of Cuba, to be used by students as a comparison with Taíno legends and myths.
Arrom, José J. . Mitología y artes prehispánicas de las Antillas. Mexico City: Siglo Veintiuno Editores, 1989.
Arrom is one of the two Yale professors who lead the field in the study of the Taínos. Excellent source for examples of Taíno art.
Bercht, Fatima. Taino: Precolumbian Art and Culture from the Caribbean. New York: Monacelli Press, Inc., 1997.
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One of the several excellent guides of Taíno art provided by El Museo del Barrio.
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Brau, Salvador. La Colonización de Puerto Rico. San Juan: Instituto de Cultura Puertorrique–a, 1966.
Brau is considered one of the experts on the history of Puerto Rico and this book is a classic.
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Carrión, Arturo Morales. Puerto Rico: A Political and Cultural History. New York:W.W. Norton and Company, Inc., 1983.
Chapter one examines the Indian heritage of Puerto Rico but teachers should read the entire book for a detailed history of Puerto Rico.
Babín, María Teresa. La Cultura de Puerto Rico. San Juan; Instituto de Cultura Puertorrique–a, 1973.
A good overview of Puerto Rican culture for all teachers.
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de Las Casas, Fray Bartolomé. In Defense of the Indians. Dekalb: Illinois University Press, 1992.
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This book offers a rare glimpse into the social, political, and religious
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climate that existed in the early colonial years of Puerto Rico and describes the oppression and ill treatment suffered by the Taínos.
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de Rosario, Rubén and Isabel Freire de Matos. Abecedario de Puerto Rico. Sharon: Troutman Press, 1968.
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This book, a collection of Isabel Freire’s poems beautifully illustrated by Antonio Martorell, includes a poem used in this unit: Indio Taíno. The format is an
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alphabet book that emphasizes the indigenous words of Puerto Rico.
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Falcón, Rafael. Lo Afronegroide en el Cuento Puertorrique–o. Miami: Ediciones Universal, 1993.
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As the title suggests, this book examines the theme of “el negro”in the
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Puerto Rican short story, especially as written by José Luis González, Luis Rafael Sánchez, Caremolo Rodríguez Torres, and Ana Lydia Vega. The quote is taken from an introductory poem by Luis Felipe Dessús, but the entire book is highly recommended reading for teachers interested in the Black literature in Puerto Rico.
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• Fontánez, Edwin. Taino: Guanín’s Story. Arlington: Exit Studios, 1997.
The book and accompanying video are Fontanez’ fictional version of the daily life of a young Taíno. Available in both English and Spanish from Exit Studios.
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• González Mu–iz, Rafael. Poemas de Mi Pueblo Taíno. San Juan: Publications
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Rafael González Mu–iz, 1997.
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Used extensively in this unit, this book of recently published poems is by a poet and historian who clearly is knowledgeable about the Taínos.
The format is teacher-friendly in that each topic is introduced by a brief narrative followed by beautiful poems in Spanish, extolling the virtues and way of life of the Taínos.
• Jaffe, Nina. The Golden Flower: A Taino Myth from Puerto Rico. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1996.
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Although geared for readers k-7, this book offers another creation myth of the Taínos and is included in this unit as an example of a myth that high school students may retell to younger students.
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Josephy, Alvin M. America in 1492: The World of the Indian Peoples Before the Arrival of Columbus. New York: Random House, Inc., 1993.
This book is a collection of writings about America from the point of view of America, not Europe. Chapter 6, by Miguel León-Portilla,
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describes the Taínos of the Caribbean and the Mayans of Mesoamerica. León-Portilla examines the Taíno- Mayan connection. A pivotal book for this unit.
Prown, Jules D. “Mind in Matter: An Introduction to Material Culture Theory and Method”, Winterthur Portfolio, Volume 17, no 1 (Spring 1982), 1-19.
This article by Yale Professor Jules D. Prown defines material culture and proposes a methodology for extracting “information about culture, about mind, from mute objects” by using a three-stage process of description, deduction, and speculation. This article is required reading for those teachers who plan to follow my recommended activities for art objects in this unit.
• Rohmer, Harriet and Jesús Guerrero Rea. Atariba and Niguayona: A Story from the Taino People of Puerto Rico. San Francisco:Children’s Book Press, 1976.
This delightful story about two Taíno children shows the bond that existed between the Taínos and nature. High School students may read this book for the storyline, the information about the Taínos, the beautiful illustrations, and to compare it with other Taíno stories and legends.
Rouse, Irving. The Tainos: Rise and Decline of the people Who Greeted Columbus. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1992.
For those teachers who want to know exactly what the archaeological evidence is for the Taínos, this is the book to read. A good reference book that includes cultural theories, linguistic theories, archaeological theories, and an excellent bibliography.
Rouse, Irving and Ricardo E. Alegría. Excavations at María de la Cruz Cave and Hacienda Grande Village Site, Loíza Aldea, Puerto Rico. New Haven: Yale University Publications in Anthropology, no. 80, 1990.
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A specific archaeological site in Puerto Rico is examined thoroughly by Rouse.
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Rouse, Irving and José J. Arrom. The Tainos: Principal Inhabitants of Columbus’ Indies, in Circa 1492: Art in the Age of Exploration, ed. Jay A. Levenson, pp. 509-513.New Haven: Yale University Press, 1992.
Another writing by Rouse, for teachers who favor the archaeological approach.
Saunders, Robert and John Dixon, Leonor Toro, and Marita Kennedy. The Indians of Puerto Rico. New Haven: Migratory Curriculum Development Project, Connecticut State Department of Education, 1978.
A charming book by the Migratory Project aimed at teaching Puerto Rican history to PuertoRicans in the mainland. Offers excellent teaching strategies, worksheets, and activities aimed at elementary and middle school students.
Waggenheim, Karl and Olga Jiménez de Waggenheim. The Puerto Ricans: A Documentary History. Princeton: Markus Wiener Publishers, 1996.
This book is ambitious in its scope: from 1493 to the year 2000.Part one concentrates on the Taínos and has excerpts from Fray Ramón Pané on the daily life and religious beliefs of the Taínos.Highly recommended for all teachers.
