![]() The Spanish documented that the Casica Anacaona was famous for her compositions and choreography for the Areitos. They even mention in one account that she organized an Areito where over a thousand maidens danced in honor of the Spanish. These celebrations took place in the Batey. That is the area where the sacred ball game was played. It was important that all creation witness the Areito. With the conquest by the Spaniards the Areitos proved too dangerous so they were soon outlawed. Organized gatherings were not allowed except under the leadership of Catholic priests or a devote convert and then only for the purpose of teaching the Christian faith. The need for a substitute way of celebration, that met the need of the people to express themselves was noted. Parrandas were brought from The Parrandas of Boriken began to The songs that were sung at these Parrandas were originally of a religious nature and many continue so to the present day. Jesus, Mary and Joseph are sung about but with a Taino/Jibaro flavor. After a time the Jibaro began to improvise new songs, not only about religion but also about their joys and sorrows. Women have also been known to be great improvisers of the sytles sung for Parrandas. When I hear a woman sing decimas I hear Anacaona underneath the Spanish trappings and my heart stirs. We read about the Caribs or the Garifuna as many are called today and we find reference to their "Paranda" (same word as our's but only spelled with one R) as one form of traditional Today there are many recordings of the traditional Jibaro music. The songs often speak of our Taino ancestors. The sounds of the guiro and the maraca is always constant and consistent in the background. It is there reminding us and connecting us to the Areitos of old. The guiro and maraca in fact are everywhere in our Boricua music. Almost every piece of The following Décima is of my own inspiration. Written in the traditional way. It has ten lines with 8 syllables per stanza. Le Lo Lai Le Lo Le ay Le Lo Lai Le Lo Le Hoy estamos recordando, Hoy estamos recordando, Las costumbre del abuelo De Yukiyu un te quiero llevo cuan flor entre labios En Boriken hay Quaribos En Boriken hay Quariches La voz del Coqui me dice Daca Taino Taino. Translation Le Lo Lai Le Lo Le Today we are remembering Today we are remembering The customs of the grand father An " I love you" from Yukiyu I carry as a flower on my lips. Boriken has brave men. Boriken has brave women The voice of the coqui frog says I am Taino, I am Taino. I'm sharing this today in the hopes that we become more aware of how much of our culture we really still retain. My In Peace by Domingo
Hernandez De Jesus (Turey) |



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