In order to reclaim our indigenous cultural identity, customs, traditions, knowledge, and language we need to return to our communities. The challenge in creating an indigenous based communiity, in a society almost totally disconnected from their indigenous cultural heritage, is a monumental undertaking. Some of these challenges center on the issue of identity and the obvious ethno-historical cultural disconnectedness; with the obvious loss of cultural values, traditions, customs and language. Other challenges have to do with financial matters, others are ideological and the inherent conflicts between members of the same community.
In the case of Naguake Community, working with community members and leaders, it became apparent that the majority of the members identified themselves with "being" Taino and the Taino culture. Although they could not articulate the salient components of that culture, they were proud of their indigenous identity and heritage. However it was an identity recreated and invented in the pages of history textbooks from third grade through university. It was an invented identity and heritage that needed to be rewritten.
The wonderful and resourceful individuals of the community made it possible to develop and implement the cultural programs and projects, that are redefining our indigenous identity and culture. The support of the community and the network these individuals have with each other is perhaps the principal strength of Naguake Community. These networks are composed of passionate, dedicated, and open-minded individuals, who inspire and lead their barrios (neighborhoods) in the various Naguake school-community programs, projects, and activities. These social cultural community networks are what makes Naguake a truly indigenous based community.
An Indigenous Based Community
Naguake Community (Our Abundant Land Community) is an indigenous based community that uses the indigenous culture as the driving force to achieve community self-sufficiency and sustainability. Our community has a system of shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviors and traditions rooted in our indigenous heritage. This system helps us to cope with the world around us and with one another.
This heritage is deeply reflected in the school-community activities, programs, and projects that have been implemented to achieve community improvement at the social, cultural and economic levels.
Origin of Name Naguake
Naguake is an acronym for Na (abundant), Guakia (our) and ke (land) or Our Abundant Land. The name describes the great diversity in topography, biodiversity, and resources (both natural and cultural), of the region. The region was divided into two (2) large chiefdoms known as Guayaney and Macao in the pre-conquest period, hence the complete name is Our Abundant Land Guayaney-Macao.
Our Socio-Environmental Community Studies / Nuestros Estudios Socio-Ambientales Comunitarios
About the Naguake School-Community Project
This school-community project has enjoyed the support and participation of seven communities located in three municipalities. The youth that participated in the project were given a unique opportunity to learn about their indigenous heritage by participating in cultural activities and in the recreation of a Taino inkayeke or settlement.
NAGUAKE WORKSHOPS AND COURSES
The open-air classrooms offered a variety of workshops and courses, including:
OUR COMMUNITY / NUESTRA COMUNIDAD
Flag and Anthem
Our Ancestral Homeland
Geography
Naguake Community spreads out to include eleven barrios in eight municipalities in east-central Boriken (Puerto Rico). The region was used as a refuge area by the indigenous populations escaping Spanish conquest and abuse. There are several mountain ranges that crisscross the region: Cayey Mountains, Panduras Range, Guardarraya Range, and the Guayanes-Aguacate Range. The highest peak in the region is La Santa Peak at 2,962 feet , (903m).
The geologic regions include:
Large forested areas cover extensive parts of the region. These are mostly secondary growth forests. Former tobacco fields have been reforested with native and exotic species, providing a rich habitat for the region’s fauna.
Water Bodies
The principal rivers of the region are the Guayanes, Maunabo, and Patillas. There are many streams and creeks that drain into the alluvial valleys, replenishing the extensive aquifer system. In addition, numerous natural springs are found throughout the region.
Population
The present day population reflects the ethnic diversity of the region. Some barrios are composed of the descendents of Africa slaves, European immigrants from Spain, France, Germany, Ireland, and the native population.
The total population of the region is 25,400. There are approximately 2,300 members that live in the nine municipalities that form Naguake Community. These community members are descendents of the original indigenous inhabitants, as reflected in the results obtained from the DNAmt genetic testing (http://nuestratierraabundante.weebly.com/genetic-study.html) carried out in the region between 2009-2012, by the University of New York (Binghamton), University of Pennsylvania, National Geographic, and Liga Gukai Taina ke (Our Taino Land).
Are we Tainos?
The answer is a resounding NO. We are not Tainos, but rather a tri-ethnic blend, where the Indigenous component predominates, particularly on the maternal side; as evidenced in the 2009-2012 genetic studies. We honor our indigenous heritage and celebrate its importance as the fundamental base of our community.
Religious Beliefs
The population is predominately Roman Catholic with a large minority of Pentecostal and other Protestant denominations. Community members have gained an awareness that culture is the binding and essential element that preserves the community’s social structure.
Political Structure
The community is governed by its own customs, traditions and community legislation; all based on the local indigenous heritage. Our members belong to all the political ideologies in modern Puerto Rico. Again, the binding force among this political diverse population is culture.
Images and Slide Shows
Please take some time to browse through our site to learn more about Naguake Community. The following slideshows will take you on a visual journey through Our Abundant Land , its culture, geography and people. Enjoy your stay with us. Taino- Ti
Imágenes y Presentación de Diapositivas
Por favor tomen un tiempo para echar un vistazo a nuestras páginas para conocer más sobre Comunidad Naguake. La siguiente presentación de diapositivas los llevara por una jornada virtual por Nuestra Tierra Abundante, su cultura, geografía y gente. Disfruten su estadía con nosotros. Taino ti.
In the case of Naguake Community, working with community members and leaders, it became apparent that the majority of the members identified themselves with "being" Taino and the Taino culture. Although they could not articulate the salient components of that culture, they were proud of their indigenous identity and heritage. However it was an identity recreated and invented in the pages of history textbooks from third grade through university. It was an invented identity and heritage that needed to be rewritten.
The wonderful and resourceful individuals of the community made it possible to develop and implement the cultural programs and projects, that are redefining our indigenous identity and culture. The support of the community and the network these individuals have with each other is perhaps the principal strength of Naguake Community. These networks are composed of passionate, dedicated, and open-minded individuals, who inspire and lead their barrios (neighborhoods) in the various Naguake school-community programs, projects, and activities. These social cultural community networks are what makes Naguake a truly indigenous based community.
An Indigenous Based Community
Naguake Community (Our Abundant Land Community) is an indigenous based community that uses the indigenous culture as the driving force to achieve community self-sufficiency and sustainability. Our community has a system of shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviors and traditions rooted in our indigenous heritage. This system helps us to cope with the world around us and with one another.
This heritage is deeply reflected in the school-community activities, programs, and projects that have been implemented to achieve community improvement at the social, cultural and economic levels.
Origin of Name Naguake
Naguake is an acronym for Na (abundant), Guakia (our) and ke (land) or Our Abundant Land. The name describes the great diversity in topography, biodiversity, and resources (both natural and cultural), of the region. The region was divided into two (2) large chiefdoms known as Guayaney and Macao in the pre-conquest period, hence the complete name is Our Abundant Land Guayaney-Macao.
Our Socio-Environmental Community Studies / Nuestros Estudios Socio-Ambientales Comunitarios
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https://sites.google.com/site/estudiocomunitario/
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http://estudiocampo.blogspot.com/
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http://www.viajesdecampo.blogspot.com/
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http://www.viajesdecampo.blogspot.com/
About the Naguake School-Community Project
This school-community project has enjoyed the support and participation of seven communities located in three municipalities. The youth that participated in the project were given a unique opportunity to learn about their indigenous heritage by participating in cultural activities and in the recreation of a Taino inkayeke or settlement.
NAGUAKE WORKSHOPS AND COURSES
The open-air classrooms offered a variety of workshops and courses, including:
- Food Cultivation
- Food Preparation and Storage
- Food Security
- Native Arts and Crafts
- Taino Language
- Taino Culture and History
- Taino Dance and Music
OUR COMMUNITY / NUESTRA COMUNIDAD
- Our Community Center
- Naguake - Yabucoa
- Our Ancestral Roots in Pandura and Guavate / Nuestras Raices
- Cultural-Linguistic Immersion Indigenous Program 2010
- Our Region and Community / Nuestra Region y Comunidad
- Our Communities / Nuestras Comunidades
- Local Tabloid El Nuevo Dia visits Naguake Community 2011 / Periódico El Nuevo Día visita Comunidad Naguake 2011.
Flag and Anthem
- https://sites.google.com/site/gritodeguaraca/
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARldfit7g3w&feature=player_embedded
Our Ancestral Homeland
Geography
Naguake Community spreads out to include eleven barrios in eight municipalities in east-central Boriken (Puerto Rico). The region was used as a refuge area by the indigenous populations escaping Spanish conquest and abuse. There are several mountain ranges that crisscross the region: Cayey Mountains, Panduras Range, Guardarraya Range, and the Guayanes-Aguacate Range. The highest peak in the region is La Santa Peak at 2,962 feet , (903m).
The geologic regions include:
- The San Lorenzo Batholith. This is an extensive area of extrusive igneous rock, left over from the region’s violent volcanic past.
- The piedmont or foothills of the Cayey Mountains. This region covers the western part of Yabucoa municipality, is an agricultural rich area with numerous small upland valleys.
- The alluvial filled Yabucoa and Maunabo Valleys. These are the region’s prime farmlands. Here farmers cultivate a wide variety of agricultural products, for both subsistence use and profit.
Large forested areas cover extensive parts of the region. These are mostly secondary growth forests. Former tobacco fields have been reforested with native and exotic species, providing a rich habitat for the region’s fauna.
Water Bodies
The principal rivers of the region are the Guayanes, Maunabo, and Patillas. There are many streams and creeks that drain into the alluvial valleys, replenishing the extensive aquifer system. In addition, numerous natural springs are found throughout the region.
Population
The present day population reflects the ethnic diversity of the region. Some barrios are composed of the descendents of Africa slaves, European immigrants from Spain, France, Germany, Ireland, and the native population.
The total population of the region is 25,400. There are approximately 2,300 members that live in the nine municipalities that form Naguake Community. These community members are descendents of the original indigenous inhabitants, as reflected in the results obtained from the DNAmt genetic testing (http://nuestratierraabundante.weebly.com/genetic-study.html) carried out in the region between 2009-2012, by the University of New York (Binghamton), University of Pennsylvania, National Geographic, and Liga Gukai Taina ke (Our Taino Land).
Are we Tainos?
The answer is a resounding NO. We are not Tainos, but rather a tri-ethnic blend, where the Indigenous component predominates, particularly on the maternal side; as evidenced in the 2009-2012 genetic studies. We honor our indigenous heritage and celebrate its importance as the fundamental base of our community.
Religious Beliefs
The population is predominately Roman Catholic with a large minority of Pentecostal and other Protestant denominations. Community members have gained an awareness that culture is the binding and essential element that preserves the community’s social structure.
Political Structure
The community is governed by its own customs, traditions and community legislation; all based on the local indigenous heritage. Our members belong to all the political ideologies in modern Puerto Rico. Again, the binding force among this political diverse population is culture.
Images and Slide Shows
Please take some time to browse through our site to learn more about Naguake Community. The following slideshows will take you on a visual journey through Our Abundant Land , its culture, geography and people. Enjoy your stay with us. Taino- Ti
Imágenes y Presentación de Diapositivas
Por favor tomen un tiempo para echar un vistazo a nuestras páginas para conocer más sobre Comunidad Naguake. La siguiente presentación de diapositivas los llevara por una jornada virtual por Nuestra Tierra Abundante, su cultura, geografía y gente. Disfruten su estadía con nosotros. Taino ti.
Community Social and Environmental Challenges
Several multidisciplinary community studies were carried out between 2004 and 2011. These studies included: community health, environemntal health, ethnographic, bio-geographic, demographics, socioeconomic and land-use.
In the eight (8) year study, more than 2,000 community members, living in 12 communities located in the east-central region of the island, participated in several community studies. The participants were interviewed and an open-ended questionnaire (20 questions), was administered. Water and soil samples were also collected, as part of the environmental and community health phase of the longitudinal study. Also, samples collected for the genetic study (2009-2012), were collected in these communities, to confirm indigenous blood heritage.
The following slides provide results of community social challenges reported by participants.
Las siguientes imágenes ofrecen los resultados de los retos sociales de la comunidades según reportado por los participantes.
Several multidisciplinary community studies were carried out between 2004 and 2011. These studies included: community health, environemntal health, ethnographic, bio-geographic, demographics, socioeconomic and land-use.
In the eight (8) year study, more than 2,000 community members, living in 12 communities located in the east-central region of the island, participated in several community studies. The participants were interviewed and an open-ended questionnaire (20 questions), was administered. Water and soil samples were also collected, as part of the environmental and community health phase of the longitudinal study. Also, samples collected for the genetic study (2009-2012), were collected in these communities, to confirm indigenous blood heritage.
The following slides provide results of community social challenges reported by participants.
Las siguientes imágenes ofrecen los resultados de los retos sociales de la comunidades según reportado por los participantes.
Guakia Inkayeke Nuestra Comunidad
Para poder reclamar nuestra cultura, costumbres, tradiciones, conocimientos y lenguaje taino, necesitamos regresar a nuestras comunidades. El reto para crear una comunidad de base indígena, en una sociedad que está casi totalmente desconectada de su herencia cultural indígena, es una tarea monumental. Algunos de los retos se centran en la temática de identidad y la innegable desconexión etnohistórica cultural; con la incuestionable pérdida de valores culturales, tradiciones, costumbres y lenguaje. Otros retos tienen que ver con asuntos financieros, otros son ideológicos y conflictos inherente entre miembros de la misma comunidad.
En el caso de la Comunidad Naguake, trabajando con miembros de la comunidad y lideres, era evidente que la mayoría de los miembros se identificaban con la cultura y el “ser” taíno. Aunque ellos no podían articular los componentes principales de la cultura taina, se sentían orgullosos de su identidad y herencia indígena. No obstante, era una identidad recreada y inventada en las páginas de los textos de historia - desde tercer grado hasta universidad. Era una identidad y herencia que necesitaban ser reescrita.
El espíritu emprendedor de la comunidad hizo posible el desarrollo e implementación de los programas y proyectos culturales, los cuales están redefiniendo nuestra identidad y cultura indígena. El apoyo de la comunidad es la fuerza principal de Naguake. Esta red está compuesta por individuos apasionados, dedicados, y de mente abierta, quienes inspiran y guían sus comunidades en los programas escolares-comunitarios, proyectos y actividades de Naguake. La red socio-cultural comunitaria es lo que hace Naguake una verdadera comunidad de base indígena.
Una Comunidad de Base Indígena
Comunidad (Nuestra Tierra Abundante) es una comunidad de base indígena que utiliza la cultura indígena como la fuerza motriz para lograr la auto-suficiencia y sustentabilidad auto-gestionada. Nuestra comunidad comparte un sistema de creencias, valores, costumbres, comportamiento y tradiciones enraizadas en nuestra cultura y herencia indígena. Este sistema nos ayuda lidiar con el mundo externo y el uno con el otro.
Esta herencia es reflejada en nuestras actividades, programas y proyectos escolares-comunitarios, que ha sido implementados para lograr mejoramiento comunitario a nivel social, cultural y económico.
Origen del Nombre Naguake
Naguake es un acrónimo para Na (Abundante), Guakia (Nuestra) y ke (Tierra) o Nuestra Tierra Abundante. El nombre describe la gran diversidad de topografía, biodiversidad y recursos (naturales y culturales) de la región. La región estaba dividida en dos (2) cacicazgos en el periodo pre-colombino (Guayaney y Macao), por lo tanto el nombre completo es Nuestra Tierra Abundante Guayaney-Macao.
Sobre el Proyecto Escolar-Comunitario Naguake
Este proyecto escolar comunitario ha gozado del apoyo y participación de doce (12) comunidades en nueve (9) municipios del este central de la isla. Los jóvenes que participan en el proyecto se les da una oportunidad única de aprender sobre su herencia indígena participando en actividades culturales.
TALLERES Y CURSOS NAGUAKE
Los salones al aire libre ofrecen una variedad de talleres y cursos, incluyendo:
- Preparación y Sobrevivencia Comunitaria
- Turismo Comunitario
- Cultivacion Agrícola
- Preparación y Almacenaje de Alimentos
- Seguridad Alimentaria
- Artesanía Indígena
- Lenguaje Taino
- Cultura e Historia Taina
- Baile y Música Taina
NUESTRA COMUNIDAD
- Nuestro Centro Comunitario
- Naguake - Yabucoa
- Nuestras Raices
- Programa de Inmersión Cultural-Lingüístico Indígena
- Nuestra Region y Comunidad
- Nuestras Comunidades
- Periódico El Nuevo Día Visita Comunidad Naguake 2011.
Bandera e Himno
Nuestra Tierra Ancestral
Geografía
Comunidad Naguake se extiende para cubrir 12 barrios en 9 municipios en el este central de Puerto Rico. La región servio de refugio para los indígenas escapando las cabalgatas españolas. Hay varias cadenas de montañas que entrelazan la región: Sierra de Cayey, Panduras y Guardarraya, Guayanes-Jagueyes. El punto mas elevado de la región es Cerro La Santa (2,962’ or 903m).
Las regiones geológicas son:
- Batolito de San Lorenzo. Es una zona extensa de piedra ígnea extrusiva, remanente del origen volcánico de la región.
- Piemonte de Sierra de Cayey. Esta región cubre la parte occidental del Municipio de Yabucoa y es una zona rica en la producción agrícola.
- Los valles aluviales de Yabucoa y Maunabo. Estos valles contienen los terrenos agrícolas más productivos de la región, con una gran variedad de productos agrícolas para consumo casero y venta.
Grandes extensiones de áreas reforestadas cubren la región. Estos son, en su mayoría, bosques de crecimiento secundario. Terrenos donde se cultivaba el tabaco, han sido reforestados con especies nativas y exóticas, creando nuevos hábitats para la fauna de la región.
Cuerpos de Agua
Los ríos principales de la región son los Rios Guayanés, Limones, Maunabo y Patillas. Existe una gran cantidad de quebradas y riachuelos que forman parte de las cuencas hidrográficas de la región. Estos cuerpos de agua drenan a los valles aluviales de Yabucoa, Maunabo y Patillas, abasteciendo los grandes acuíferos de la zona. También hay un gran número de pozos y ojos de agua por toda la región.
Población
La población refleja la diversidad étnica de la región. Algunos barrios son compuestos por los descendientes de los esclavos africanos e inmigrantes europeos (España, Irlanda, Alemania, Francia). El componente indígena está presente en la mayoría de la población, la cual se heredera, mayoritariamente, por la línea materna.
La población de la región es 25,400. Hay aproximadamente 2,300 miembros de la Comunidad Naguake que viven en los nueve municipios. Lo miembros de la comunidad son descendientes de los indígenas que habitaron la región antes de la llegada de los europeos. Así lo atestigua los estudios genéticos de ADNmt realizados entre 2009 y 2012 (http://nuestratierraabundante.weebly.com/genetic-study.html) por la Universidad de Bingfmaton (Nueva York), Universidad de Pennsylvania , y la National Geographic conjuntamente con Liga Guakia Taina ke..
¿Somos Tainos?
La contestación es un rotundo NO. No somos tainos, sino una mezcla tri-etnica, en donde el componente indígena predomina, particularmente, por el lado maternal.. Honramos nuestra herencia indígena y celebráramos su importancia como base fundamental de nuestra comunidad.
Creencias Religiosas
La población esta dividida entre Católicos y Denominaciones Protestantes (Pentecostal, Bautistas, Episcopal, y Adventistas). Los miembros comunitarios han logrado una concientización de que cultura es la fibra y elemento esencial que preserva la estructura social de la comunidad.
Estructura Política
Nuestros miembros pertenecen a todas las ideologías políticas. La fuerza aglutinadora de esta diversidad política-religiosa es cultura. La comunidad tiene sus propias costumbres, tradiciones y legislación comunitaria; todas basadas en la herencia indígena.
Retos Sociales-Ambientales Comunitarios
Varios estudios comunitarios multidisciplinario fueron llevados a cabo entre 2004-2011. Estos estudios incluyen: salud comunitaria, salud ambiental, etnográfico, bio-geografico, demográfico, socioeconómico y uso de terreno.
En los ocho (8) años de estudios, mas de 2000 miembros comunitarios, viviendo en 12 comunidades en la región este central de Puerto Rico, participaron en varios estudios comunitarios. Los participantes fueron entrevistados y un cuestionario abierto de 20 preguntas se administro. Muestras de suelo y agua fueron tomadas como parte de la fase de salud ambiental y comunitaria del estudio. También se tomaron muestras de materia genética (pelo y saliva), como parte de nuestro estudio genético (2009-2012) para comprobar herencia indígena.
Nuestros Estudios Socio-Ambientales Comunitarios
Vistors to Our Community Site / Visitantes a Nuestra Pagina de la Comunidad
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