#hatuey

The Legend of Hatuey

Vicente Albán (Ecuadorian-born Spanish, 1725 - unknown) Inscribed is “Señora principal con su negra esclava,” “Lady with her female black slave,” 1783 Vicente Albán is noted for his idealized paintings of indigenous (Yumbo people) and Hispanic Criollos (people of Spanish descent born in the colonies). Exploring Colonial Hispanic-American culture, he was commissioned by José Celestino Mutis, who wanted to highlight the local society, flora and fruit. - In August 1518, King Charles I authorized Spain to ship enslaved people directly from Africa to the Americas. The Spanish colonies in the Caribbean were among the last to abolish slavery. While the British abolished slavery by 1833, Spain abolished slavery in Puerto Rico in 1873. On the mainland of colonies, Spain ended African slavery in the eighteenth century. - There are no words to describe the horrors inflicted on the indigenous populations. The native peoples in Cuba were completely annihilated. They either died enslaved in the mines or were hunted and killed by the Spanish in the mountains. Some natives themselves jumped off the cliffs, knowing that it would be a preferable fate than being caught by a Spanish soldier. In 1634, the Spanish killed 50,000 Arawaks and captured their chief Hatuey. Before burning him alive, a Christian priest urged him to accept Jesus so his soul might go to heaven rather than hell. Hatuey replied, if heaven was where Christians went, he would rather go to hell.

Hatuey - One of The First Freedom Fighters in Recorded History

They act like they’ve come so far, but they really haven’t. Along with worshipping the implement of crucifixion, Xtianity is a celebration of torture.

GALEANO, Eduardo. Memoria del fuego I. Los Nacimientos. Siglo XXI Ed. Madrid España 1982. Pág.67

It's approaching 26 years that I would also be there. Before I led sweatlodge. Before I was given the honor of being a pipeholder. I did not know Hatuey. I had never heard the name of our Taíno Cacique (chief). One of the first to fight back, over 500 years ago. But there, bound, hogtied, being choked out by officers for having the nerve to follow my peoples traditions (believe it or not, my hair), I was given one opportunity to become like the white man. The cops even stopped for a second to demand I look like them, be one of them, but, having just learned but a few words that were once thought lost from my people, and with Hatuey's blood rushing through my veins, laying there, face in the concrete, I spat and shouted out, "it is a good day to die" in Taíno. They gave quite the beat down, I must say. But, much like my great ancestors memory, I'm still here. This resistance, it's in our DNA. #526years #taino #Borikén #boricua #boriqua #Indigenous #hatuey #traditional #warrior #bestrong #ndn #NativePride #nativeamerican #resist #cacique #mmiw #Taino #iam #Resistance #tainopride https://www.instagram.com/p/Boxfdt4h-Vk/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ijjihhxqykoq

@Regran_ed from @missbibipink - 1511, Diego Velásquez sailed from Hispaniola (now the Dominican Republic) to conquer and colonize Cuba. Among his soldiers in that expedition was Hernán Cortés, who later conquered Mexico. When he arrived in Cuba, Velásquez founded the island’s first Spanish settlement at Baracoa. Meanwhile, reports from the Indians of Hispaniola reached Cuba. #Hatuey, a #Taíno chief, had escaped in canoes with about four-hundred men, women and children, to warn the Cubans about what to expect from the Spaniards. He explained the need to join against their common enemy, the white men who had inflicted so much suffering on his people. As later recorded by Spanish priest Bartolomé de las Casas, Hatuey showed the Cubans a basket full of gold and jewels. “Here is the God the Spaniards worship,” he said, “for these they fight and kill; for these they persecute us and that is why we have to throw them into the sea… “They tell us, these tyrants, that they adore a God of peace and equality, and yet they usurp our land and make us their slaves. They speak to us of an immortal soul and of their eternal rewards and punishments, and yet they rob our belongings, seduce our women, violate our daughters. Incapable of matching us in valor, these cowards cover themselves with iron that our weapons cannot break…” The Taínos of western and central #Cuba could not believe the horrendous message brought by Hatuey, and few joined him. Hatuey’s strategy against the #Spaniards was to attack, guerilla fashion, and then disperse to the hills, where the Indians would regroup for the next attack. For about three months Hatuey’s tactics kept the Spaniards on the defensive, afraid to leave their fort at Baracoa. Through a traitor, Velásquez was able to surround and capture Hatuey. On February 2, 1512, Hatuey was tied to a stake at the Spanish camp, where he was burned alive. Just before lighting the fire, a priest offered him spiritual comfort, showing him the cross and asking him to accept #Jesus and go to #heaven. “Are there people like you in heaven?” he asked. - #regrann https://www.instagram.com/p/BqWbDAXnRt4/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1xs7wqtnbwx6u