THE TAINOS

The Political Organization

Political Str ucture

Taino society was divided into two classes:
nitanos (nobles)
naborias (commoners)

These were governed by a sort of king or leader known as a

cacique.
The caciques were advised by priests/healers known as bohiques.

Political Str ucture:

T he Caciques
The cacique ruled over his group of people or kingdom with complete authority.
They enjoyed the privilege of:

wearing golden pendants called guann,

living in square bohos, instead of the round ones of ordinary villagers.
sitting on wooden stools to be above the guests they received.[.

Being a cacique was a birth privilege, passed from father to son, where the eldest sons would
take over after the fathers death or retirement.

The caciques job was to:

rule over the Arawak people, maintaining order among the people.
distribute land and crops
Assign the labour among the people
the leader during times of war; ruling over the decisions.

Political Str ucture:

T he Caciques(contd)
As chief priest:
Was responsible for taking care of the zemis; the sacred images of the tribe.
His visions and judgments were believed to be most accurate.
He was a well respected man and usually was able to rule without violence.

The cacique was well obeyed by the people and seen as a father figure.
Was both government leader and religious ceremony leader.
He was not much of a lawmaker
Strict laws were not needed because the people had a sense of community
since they depended on each others work.
He made little laws, with no real reinforcement of those laws.
The village cooperated, enforcement was rarely needed.

Political Str ucture:

T he Bohiques
The Bohiques were the Tainos spiritual advisors/priest and
healers.
They were recognized for their healing powers and ability to speak
with gods/zemis.
They were consulted and granted the Tanos permission to engage
in important tasks.

Po l i t i c a l S t r u c t u r e :
The Nobles
The Nobles (called nitaianos) also assisted the caciques.
These men had to be the oldest in the kingdom because they knew
the kingdoms boundaries of the past and recent years.
Decisions occurred in a council meeting, with the cacique and
higher standing peoples, such as the nobles.
The elder noble men had songs and dances which taught the

younger villagers their history and laws.