As Yamaye Guani (Jamaican Hummingbird) Taino People we have
established our community locally and internationally within the realm
of the international Taino resurgence since 2019 with the enstoolment
of our Kasike (Chief) Kalaan Nibonrix Kaiman (Robert Pairman).
Our first celebration was held on May 26th 2021 via Zoom. We had
supporters both local (Maroon Communities, Hope Zoo, Archaeology
Association of Jamaica. U.W.I. Language Unit, Source Farm) and
internationally (Garifuna Nation, Wakapoa Lokono, Wawa Aba Akan shrine
house, Puerto Rican Taino Comunity, Maisiti Taino Community, Council
of Indigenous Healers of the Americas, Peace and Dignity Journeys
Texas ) sharing their greetings. This year's celebration will be our
first in-person Areito (Taino Celebration) for our People.
May 26th was the date of our Kasike’s Investiture and also the
time our ancestors would honor as the starting period for the Rainy
season (Boinya Aganeuku) which is our New Year. This Celebration will
bring much needed attention to Woodside Community which has Three (3)
National Heritage sites, two (2) of which are sacred Taino sites; the
Taino Steps and the Atabey Petroglyph formerly known as One Bubby
Susan. Our eagerly awaited in-person gathering (while observing all
Covid Protocols) allows for local and international participants to
observe this historical moment for Jamaica.
The Yukayeke (Community) Yamaye Guani (Jamaica Hummingbird)
Taino Peoples seeks Five thousand eight hundred and ninety USD
dollars ($5890) in support towards our New Year Celebration on
Thursday May 26th at Woodside Community Highgate, St. Mary.
The funds requested will be used for transportation,
accommodations, food, the venue and personnel/staff. We want to
ensure a safe and secure space for our supporters and for everyone to
honor our community members and relatives that have taken on the
yeoman task of continuing the preservation, promoting and teaching our
ancestral Indigenous ways.
Our community seeks to preserve and teach the Indigenous ways of
Jamaica’s First Peoples which was anchored on peace building through
fostering positive relationships with nature and community, as well as
to provide opportunities for Jamaican Taino peoples to earn from
ancestral craft, practices , knowledge and to preserve our ancestral ways.
Our Taino New Year celebration will:
- Showcase Taino sacred spaces and allow those present to participate in Taino new year ceremony ushering in the Rainy season.
- Allow visitors to experience the beauty of the Woodside community with an emphasis on Taino culture and retention in Jamaica. It will also allow for Cultural Exchanges with Taino and other Indigenous relatives throughout the Americas.
- Additionally to our funding will assist with live streaming our
event for our relatives in the Diaspora who long to return home but
for whatever reason is unable to do so now, we will be offering
casabe / bammy to the Cemi of Atabei for a good season and will
offer on behalf of all of our donors as well so please put your name
when donating or the name of someone you would like lifted in this
ceremonial way.
Heketiwa (we are One) together we can make this activity a success which will be the launching ground for future self sustainable indigenous activities.
Yayabo Huma (great spirit be with you all )
