11/20/2009

Taino Honor Island’s First Hero

Professor Jalil Sued Badillo addresses those gathered to honor Taino leader Agueybana II
in Ponce, Boriken (Puerto Rico)

Ponce, Boriken (UCTP Taino News) – Local Taino gathered in Ponce, Boriken on November 19, 2009 to pay respect to Kasike (Chief) Agueybana II, a 16th century warrior considered by many to be the island’s first hero to stand against colonialism.

Organized by the United Confederation of Taino People’s Liaison Office in Boriken, the special event took place at the monument to the great Taino leader who led confederated indigenous communities against Spanish conquistadors at the battle of Yahueca in 1511. The program was enthusiastically attended by members of the local community, scholars, government officials, and school children.

Among the presentations featured was a historical biography of "Agueybana el bravo” by Professor Jalil Sued Badillo, a musical tribute by elder and artist Miguel Anel Guzman, and a Taino cultural presentation by members of Esencia Tabonuco.

The program received additional support from the office of the honorable Victor Vassallo Anadon, the congressional representative for Ponce and Jayuya. Vassallo issued a proclamation for the occasion designating Nov. 19 as Kasike Agueybana Day.

UCTPTN 11.20.2009

1 comment:

Jaime Pereira said...

Given our history and the fact that so many crimes and atrocities were committed against the original population of puerto Rico (tainos), it is surprising to see how so many monuments have been erected in memory of the criminals who brought forth such mayhem, horror, and death, to such noble creatures whose only crime was to live in the coveted new world. This part of our history should be aborrhed by all, and, while it should remain as a matter of study within our school system; honor should be conferred solely to the victims and not to the perpetrators of such haineous acts.

We should see more plazas, streets and avenues, named after, and in remembrance of our fallen Tainos, and less in honor and worship of Colombus, Ponce DeLeon and all the other ruffians and mass murderers, revered and hailed today as heroes and visionaries; rather than for the monsters they truly were.

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