Sailing across a map of the Americas, one is likely to find the island of Cuba. This is simply done because Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean basin. This island is as much filled with history as with culture, and even with a United States embargo, is one of the better-known islands in the region. Sparked by curiosity, I set out to learn more of the factual origins of the people, which inhabit this state.
While sailing under the flag of Spain, Christopher Columbus made the first European encounter with the island of Cuba in October of 1492. Columbus learned of Cuba from natives of neighboring islands, who called it Colba. Columbus may have believed Cuba to be the mythical area of Cipango, which was described by Marco Polo. Therefore, He set out to find this land of gold, merchants, and large cities. On October 28, 1492, Columbus landed in an (currently) unknown northern part of Cuba. Not finding all he had hoped for, Columbus sailed around the island looking for the city of Cathay. He sent a party ashore on November 2, however, they returned saying they saw nothing similar to great cities or riches. Enchanted by the beauty of the island, Columbus and his crew continued to search throughout that month. While Columbus and his men encountered natives and (relatively small) cities, they did not find the mythical land of gold and precious stones they hoped to find. To continue their voyage, Columbus and his crew left Cuba on December 5, 1492.
Christopher Columbus called the people he encountered Taino. This phrase is not the actual name of the people, rather it was a greeting they offered which has been since translated to mean “Peace”. Columbus’ interaction with these people leads to an interesting question, “Where did they come from?” It is widely accepted that Asian peoples migrated to the American continents across a land bridge some 13,000 to 22,000 years ago. These people were members of hunter/gatherer societies. Most likely following food sources, these migratory people are believed to have spread throughout North and South America, and by boat to the Caribbean Islands. Due to the lack of written record, there is little evidence to suggest exactly when Cuba was inhabited. However, it is speculated the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Puerto Rico were inhabited between 200 and 12,000 AD. Therefore, we may hypothesize it is in this timeframe that Cuba began to be occupied.
While it may be difficult to determine the exact origins of civilization on Cuba before 1492, this island has since played a key role in the Caribbean basin.
Sources:
Emily R. Lundberg. Pre-Taino Peoples. (9/2/2011). Retrieved from http://www.cubaheritage.org/articles.asp?lID=1&artID=2
The Educational Broadcasting Corporation. When Did Humans Arrive in Cuba?. (9/2/2011). Retrieved from http://www.cubaheritage.org/articles.asp?lID=1&artID=1
Wright, Irene. (1916). The Early History of Cuba, 1492-1586. (pp. 5-7). New York, NY: The Macmillan Company
