June 18, 2020

Anani Kaike

Anacaona was a Taino Cacica, or female Cacique from the island of Quiskeya (Kiskeya), which is now Santo Domingo or the Dominican Republic. Anacaona stood up to the brutality of the Spaniards and fought for her people until the end of her life.

Anacaona means Golden Flower, Ana meaning flower and Caona meaning Gold or Golden. Anacaona was born around 1474, in Kiskeya / Quiskeya/ (now The Dominican Republic), her father, Bohechío, was one of the top five Cacques on the island. Acording to Bartolome de las Casa, Anacaona and Bohechio were both equal negotiators when the murderer Colombus arrived. Bohechio aided the Spaniards, and out of generosity gave them food and cotton. Colombus would later repay them by murdering them. She was also known for her songs and memorized poems. 

After Anacaona’s brother died, she became the Cacica of Jaragua. Her husband, Cacique Caonabo, was captured by the “governor”, Alonso de Ojeda, probably in the late 1490’s or early 1500’s, he was shipped to Spain, however he died on the ship, probably of disease. Many say that Anacaona had one child, named Higuemota, but no one knows when she was born or died.

In 1503, Alonso de Ojeda called Anacaona and eighty other Caciques to a meeting, to talk about peace. They were all accused of conspiracy to resist occupation. The building they were in was set on fire, however Anacaona and the other Caciques were able to escape. The other Caciques who escaped were tortured and were forced to turn against her, and then were later murdered as well. Before she was murdered the Spaniards offered her pardon if she would be baptized and marry one of the Spaniards. Anacaona refused and was hung, while the others were shot. It was a disgrace to hang a Cacique. She was only about 29 years old. When the Spaniards had arrived in 1492, there were more than half a million Taino, by 1507 there were barely 60,000. This is without a doubt genocide, on an enormous scale.

Anacaona must be remembered for her resistance and for resisting until her murder by heartless, brutal Spaniards. Songwriter Catalino (Tite) Curet Alonso wrote a song for singer Cheo Feliciano speaking of the story of Anacaona. After almost 500 years, people are still remembering Anacaona and her struggle.