Leaders: Anacaona

Episode Summary

The podcast episode is about Anacaona, an important leader of the Taino people in what is now Haiti. Anacaona was born in 1474 into a family of chiefs. She was part of the Taino tribe, who lived throughout the Caribbean islands. Anacaona was known as a composer of ballads and story poems, which helped pass on the heritage of her people. In 1496, Christopher Columbus arrived in Anacaona's territory. She and her brother met with Columbus peacefully at first. Her tribe paid tribute to the Spanish colonizers and briefly sailed on Columbus's ship. After her brother died, Anacaona took over leadership of his territory. She tried to maintain peaceful relations with the Spanish. However, the Spanish later suspected Anacaona's husband of organizing an attack. In retaliation, they kidnapped and killed him. Anacaona then took on her husband's leadership role. As tensions escalated into war between the Tainos and Spanish, Anacaona still tried for peace through cultural integration. She arranged marriages between Tainos and Spanish soldiers. In 1502, a new Spanish governor took over. He tricked Anacaona into gathering chiefs for a meeting, then locked them inside and burned them alive. Anacaona was arrested and executed in 1503 at age 29. Though the Spanish overpowered the Taino, Anacaona's poems and stories helped preserve Taino culture and heritage in the Caribbean.

Episode Show Notes

Anacaona (1474-1503) was a Taíno leader who stood up to colonizers.

Episode Transcript

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Both Anna Kauna's brother and her husband were major chiefs of nearby territories. This close association with the primary rulers of the island made Anna Kauna herself one of the most important figures on Quesqueya. That's what they called modern-day Hispaniola. The Taino people were skilled farmers and navigators, but they were also known for their art, including music, poetry, and unique sculptures. Anna Kauna herself was a well-known composer of ballads and story poems. This is a crucial role, since these stories helped pass on the heritage of her people. ["I'll be there for my sister for a while." in Spanish language.] In 1496, Christopher Columbus arrived to Anna Kauna's territory. She and her brother went to meet him as negotiators and peacekeepers, and the meeting was later described by European historians as amicable. Anna Kauna's tribe paid the Spanish a tribute of food and cotton, and when Columbus arrived later to collect the goods, Anna Kauna and her brother even briefly sailed aboard his ship. After her brother passed away, Anna Kauna took over rule of his territory. She continued a peaceful coexistence with the Spanish colonizers for some time, but that didn't last. The Spanish rulers soon suspected Anna Kauna's husband of organizing an attack on a Spanish settlement on the northwest side of the island. In retribution, the colonizers kidnapped him and put him on a ship headed for Europe, but he died on the journey. Many Taino leaders were subjected to the same treatment. After her husband was killed, Anna Kauna took on his leadership role, officially making her head of two major territories on Kiskaya. Following colonialist brutality, the Tainos and Spaniards engaged in a full-on war. Despite the conflict, Anna Kauna still tried to use her power to establish peace with the Spaniards through cultural integration. Though the Tainos outnumbered the colonizers, Anna Kauna knew the advanced European weaponry could likely overpower her people. To keep some semblance of peace, she encouraged marriages between high-ranking Spanish soldiers and Taino royalty. In 1502, a new governor took over the Spanish colony, who was convinced that Anna Kauna was simply using overt kindness as a ploy for a rebel cause. He plotted a visit to Anna Kauna's territory and told her to invite 80 chiefs to the meeting. Hoping for peace, Anna Kauna agreed and threw a celebration for the governor and his soldiers. But the colonizers turned on the Taino, locked many of them up in the meeting house, and set the building on fire, killing everyone inside. Anna Kauna and her noblemen were arrested and executed. It was the year 1503, and Anna Kauna was 29 years old. By 1550, the Taino were greatly dwindling in numbers due to colonial violence and disease. But the influence of their culture lives on in the Caribbean today, assisted by the stories and poems passed on by Taino, including Anna Kauna. Tune in tomorrow to hear the story of another incredible woman who stood up against European imperialism. Also, if you're enjoying the show, please rate and review us wherever you listen. It really means a lot and it helps others find us. Special thanks to Liz Kaplan, my favorite sister and co-creator. Talk to you tomorrow. SPEAKER_03: frustrating upon the SPEAKER_10: No one. No story is off limits. And you'll always learn something new. It's time for 60 minutes. New episode airs Sunday, September 24th on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. SPEAKER_08: Get two-year financing on Go 5G Plus and Next. One-year upgrade on Go 5G Next requires financing a new qualifying device and upgrading in good condition after six-plus months with 50% paid off. 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