The Tainos of Puerto Rico

    By Mia Alequin

    The Tainos of Puerto Rico cover image

    28 May, 2024

    a painting of a woman in a jungle with a cross on her forehead and a cross on her forehead, fantasy art, a painting, Art of Brom, highly detailed digital painting

    Yara, a young Taino woman, was standing on the edge of her beloved rainforest, her eyes scanning the horizon. Her heart was heavy with an ominous feeling.

    a man with a long hair and a feather headdress in a forest with trees and plants behind him, primitivism, a character portrait, Carlos Francisco Chang Marín, weta digital

    Ato, the tribe's elder, stood next to her. 'We must prepare, Yara,' he said solemnly. 'They are coming.'

    a group of people standing next to each other in front of a hut with thatched roof and grass roof, primitivism, a detailed matte painting, Derek Chittock, promotional image

    Yara and Ato returned to the village and began preparing their people for the coming danger. They knew their unity and knowledge of the land would be their greatest weapons.

    a young girl in a native american dress standing in front of a village with people and palm trees in the background, primitivism, a photo, Ella Guru, maya

    Yara, with her unyielding spirit, rallied the Tainos. 'We are the children of this land,' she declared. 'We will protect it with our lives.'

    a woman in a costume standing in the water with a sword and a ship in the background with a cloudy sky, fantasy art, a character portrait, Chris Rallis, magic the gathering artwork

    The invaders arrived, their ships darkening the horizon. Men in metal armor disembarked, their eyes filled with a hunger for conquest.

    a woman in a costume standing in front of a boat in the ocean with a pirate ship in the background, fantasy art, a detailed matte painting, Clint Cearley, magic the gathering artwork

    Yara stood firm, her gaze never wavering from the invaders. 'We stand for our land,' she declared, her voice echoing across the beach.

    a woman in a costume with a lot of people behind her and a lot of trees in the background, feminist art, concept art, Aleksi Briclot, promotional image

    The battle ensued, the Tainos using their knowledge of the terrain to their advantage. Yara was at the forefront, her spirit unbroken.

    a group of people dressed in native american clothing and headdress, standing in a line with trees in the background, primitivism, a detailed matte painting, Araceli Gilbert, weta digital

    Despite the invaders' advanced weapons, the Tainos held their ground. Their unity was their strength, their love for their land their motivation.

    a group of people in native american clothing standing in front of a hut with trees in the background and a man in the foreground, primitivism, a detailed matte painting, Araceli Gilbert, promotional image

    Ato, weary but proud, looked at Yara. 'Our people will remember this day,' he said. 'You have shown them what it means to be a Taino.'

    a woman with a headdress and feathers in a jungle setting with a man in the background looking at the camera, primitivism, a character portrait, Aleksi Briclot, maya

    Yara, her body aching but her spirit soaring, nodded. 'We have protected our home,' she said. 'And we will continue to do so, no matter what.'

    a man and woman in native clothing standing next to each other in front of a hut with thatched roof, primitivism, a portrait, Anna Maria Barbara Abesch, behance hd

    In the years that followed, the Tainos remained united, their bond strengthened by the battle they had fought together. Ato and Yara continued to lead, their spirits unbroken.

    a painting of a woman in native clothing standing in front of a tropical landscape with palm trees and a body of water, fantasy art, a character portrait, Araceli Gilbert, maya

    Yara, standing on the edge of her rainforest once again, looked out at the sea. 'We are the Tainos of Puerto Rico,' she whispered to the wind. 'And we will always protect our home.'