CHAPTER VI.

THE POETICAL ANNALS AND TRADITIONS OF THE HAYTIANS OR TAINOS OF THE ANTILLES, _collected in 1498 by_ ROMAN &C. _with additions by_ DANGLERIA _and others, Notes, Remarks, and Ancient Tribes_.

Roman was a Jeromitan friar, come with Columbus, who began to convert the Haytians in 1496, and collected their traditions, after learning their language, out of the _Areitos_ or songs and hymns used in festivals. He wrote them in 1498 by order of Columbus, and they are inserted at large in his life by his son; but were almost neglected by Irving. They give us not only an insight into the belief, religion, traditions of the Antillian people; but also a compendium of fragments on their annals. Although very desultory, much less connected than those of Mexico, the Linapis, Ongwis &c., and destitute of chronology; yet they afford an essential addition to American history, and the ancient accounts about the Atlantis and Antilles.

In order to bring them into a kind of order, they shall be analyzed, reduced to a succession of events and divided into 3 parts, 1. Cosmogony and Theogony, 2. the flood and primitive history, 3. ancient history previous to Columbus or 1492. A fourth part foreign to these traditions would be their annals since that time, and till the extinction of the nation; which shall be given hereafter, with the account of the language, and civilization—What is peculiar to these traditions among the Americans, are the metamorphoses of men into beasts &c., as in Ovid.

The nation who furnished these annals, was the Haytian of Hayti, a branch of the nation dwelling also in Cuba, and filling the Lucayes and smaller Antilles: whose collective proper name was TAINO meaning noble. But they acknowledged as brothers, many tribes of the continent under the collective name of GUATIAOS brothers, this was ascertained in 1520 by Figueroa.—(See Herrera.) These _Guatiaos_ were the Aruac nations and tribes, that were not cannibals. These tribes as enumerated by Figueroa in 1520 were in the Antilles the 1. Haytians, 2. Cubans, 3. Jamaicans, 4. Boriquans (Porto Rico), 5. Cairis that dwelt in Trinidad, Barbuda, Marmagitas and Gianis Islands. While those of the continent were the 1. Aruacas of Guyana, 2. Paracurias of Cubagua, 3. Urinatos of Oronoc, 4. Pavonas of Cariaco, 5. Cariatis, 6. Cumanas, 7. Chiribichis, 8. Coquibocoa, 9. Unatos. These five last were intermixt with the _Canibas_ or _Caribas_, the cannibal tribes, foes of the _Guatiaos_, which are the Galibis and Carib tribes; that had desolated and conquered most of the eastern Antilles.

All the Tainos spoke the same language divided into several dialects; but understood reciprocally. D’Angleria tells us in 1512 that two distinct languages were used in Cuba, the eastern was a mere dialect of Hayti; but in the west was a very different language not understood; this was the _Cami_ derived from the _Olmeca_ of Oaxaca or the _Maya_ of Yucatan; they having sent there a colony, and founded a kingdom.—(see the Maya History.) In Hayti there was also in the center of the island a kingdom of Mayas? the people were called _Mayo-riexes_ or _Macoryxes_, (meaning _Maya people_). They spoke a language different from the Haytian (Dangleria) divided into 3 dialects _Cayabo_, _Cubaba_, and _Baichagua_. This kingdom of strangers was called _Cubaba_ or _Caibaba_, and _Ziguayos_. They are called Caribs by some authors; but erroneously.(62)

Many other additional traditions on the Antilles are scattered in early writers, D’Angleria, Gomara, Herrera, Munoz, Acosta, St. Mery, Oviedo, Columbus, Brigstock, Rochefort, Edwards, Garcia, Laet, &c. which shall be partly noticed here as a sequel to Roman, and all connected as a general outline of a history of the Antillian nations.

Having succeeded to make out a fine vocabulary of nearly three hundred words of the Taino dialects, collected from Roman, Columbus, Dangleria, Munoz, Las-Casas, Herrera, Gili, Humboldt, Vater &c.—and another of about 150 words of the _Cairi_ or _Eyeri_ language of the Aruac Islanders out of Dudley, Rochefort &c. I will be enabled to translate and elucidate nearly all the Taino historical names and allusions, so as to clear up the annals by original etymologies. The orthography will be Spanish, J must be pronounced as Kh, and X as Sh.

The Haytians had besides these songs, other annals; since the priests taught history, and the origin of things to the sons of the nobles. They had also perhaps peculiar symbols to keep their records, since Dangleria mentions that they had paintings of beasts, tygers, eagles &c. on cotton, hung to walls. St. Mery says that in 1787 was found in the mountains of Guanaminto a tomb with a stone of 6 feet covered with hieroglyphs! and in the mountains of Limbé, engravings of human figures on a serpentine rock; besides many sculptures in Caves. Columbus saw in 1492 in Inagua one of Lucayes a gold medal _with letters on it_! If we had figures of these hieroglyphs and engraved symbols, we should probably obtain another clue to American history and graphic systems. But they are probably lost by neglect like those of North America! The Antilles being on the way from the east to the continent must have served as a stepping place to many nations on their passage to the continent.(63)

1st Part.—_Theogony and Cosmogony._

1. _Fact._ The Supreme God, bears five names or titles given by Roman and Dangleria in two dialects, and is male or female.

By Roman By Dangleria Meanings 1. Attabei Attabeira Unic-Being. 2. Jemao Mamona Eternal. 3. Guacas or Guaca-rapita Infinite. Apito 4. Apito or Liella Omnipotent. Siella 5. Zuimaco Guimazoa Invisible.

Roman calls it female, Dangleria a male God. The titles of this god are sufficient to indicate the supreme God of nature, and they have astonishing analogies with the primitive God of Asia and Europe, the Basks, Pelasgians, Atlantes, Guanches &c. The most common name was the first, in Cuba _Atabex_. This and other great Gods were not sculptured in idols. The Chillians had similar names for the Supreme God.(64)

2. _Fact._ This God was father or mother of another great God dwelling in the sun with a double name, variable in the dialects.

First Name. Second Name. By Roman Iocahuna Guamaarocon. By Dangleria Iocauna Guamaonocon. In Cuba Yocahuna Guamaoxocoti. In Jamaica Yocahuna —— In Boriquen Iacana Guamanomocon. By Oviedo Iovana Guamamona. Variations Iocavaghama Guamochyna.

The explication of these names is not given; but they are identic with the gods of the Cantabrians, and Guanches of Canary islands.—The first appears to be the JEHOVAH and YAO of the Orientals, and is evidently the HUNAKU or Supreme God of the _Mayas_. The second name means _Lord of the World_ (_Guama-ocon_) and is a title.(65)

3. _Event._ This last God made the World, the Heavens _Turei_, and the Earth before the terrestrial sun and moon; also the ZEMIS or angels, who are male and female lesser gods, worshipped in idols, and intercessors with the great gods. In the dialects _Zemes_, _Chemes_, _Chemis_.

All the ancestors are since called _Zemis_: their worship was spread through America, under various names, and forms: as well as in the east. They are the

_Shemayim_ (Heavenly) of the Hebrews. _Shemsia_ of the Pehlavis of Persia. _Samana & Hamsa_ of the Hindus. _Shams_ of the Arabic. _Esmun_, _Saman_ of the old Irish. _Eshman_ (devil) of the Carthuls of Caucasus. _Sumari_ of Thibet, _Chuman_ of Tartary. _Camus_, a synonym of Magi of Persia. _Shin_ of the Chinese. _Zamzumin_ ancient giants of Arabia. _Chamin & Zaones_ of Egypt. _Chama_ of the Phrygians. _Chamina_ of the Etruscans. _Zeones & Zanim_ of the Ammonians. _Zamones_ (blest) of the Lybians. _Lemes_, _Zanes_ and _Annas_ of the Pelasgians. _Chemin_, _Shemsho_, _Naemas_ and _Zamiel_ of Aram or Syria and Phenicia. _Chemarim_ Priests. _Zin_, _Kami_ and _Kamona_ of Japan and Yedzo.

While in America we find the _Chemim_ of the Carib women.

_Tezmin_ of the Mayas. _Inama_ of the Apalachis. _Manito_ of the Linapis.

_Camayos_ of the Peruvians.—Which are all identic in meaning _Angels_, _Spirits_ and their idols. This name changes elsewhere in sound: just like _Enzel_ in Teutonic, which has the import of _El_, _Aones_, and _Zemes_, is root of our _Angel_ now pronounced _Endjel_. This oriental connection of ideas, names and worship, appears to be evident. They are not less in _Turei_ heaven, _Uran_, _Turan_ of the primitive nation &c.

_4th Event._ Some of these ZEMIS became bad beings, and devils _Tuyra_, who send diseases, hurricanes (_Furacan_), earthquakes and thunders to desolate the earth and mankind.

The names of _Tuyra_ for devil and evil has analogies throughout the earth. The most striking are

_Out of America._

_Zitura_ of Basks. _Guirati_ of Biscayans. _Vetura_ in Bali of Pallis. _Tororu_ of Nukahiva island. _Yarua_ of the Berber Atlantes. _Yurena_ of the Guanches Atlantes. _Daruj_, _Puyri_ of Zend. _Turug_ of Celts. _Tairi_ in Turkish. _Tahyri_ of Tahiti. _Fara_, _Wara_ of Japan. _Tarada_ of the Papuas. _Uritiram_ Synonym of Shiva. _Teripis_ of Oscans. _Tyranos_ of Greeks.

_In America._

_Yares_ of the _Tayronas_ the Cyclops or forgers of Santa Marta. _Sura_ of Poyays. _Tziri_ of Poconchi. _Huraqui_, _Sura_ of Apalachi. _Tiviri_ of the Yaquis. _Kiuras_ of the Powhatans. _Tarahu_, of the Tarahumaras. _Prororu_ of Cumana, derived from _Pregonero_ another subsequent devil of Hayti.

By the change of R to L, we have the _Tulas_ and Atlantes of America.—_See Taraguva_ of 10th Event.

_5th Event._ The good Zemis were appointed to make the earth and men, and to rule over both. _Guabanzex_, a female Zemis, made the air and water, and became the goddess of the ocean and winds.

This will answer to the first period of the earth creation, when the water was above the land, and the _Rkio_ of Moses was divided. The name appears to mean _the windy_.(66)

_6th Event._ The male Zemis JAIA (_Khaya_, the earth) made the earth and islands; he is the _Aion_ of Sanchoniation. Every land and island is animated. The island of Hayti was a great animal like a turtle; the head and mouth was in the east, the west end of it was a long tail, called _Guaca-iarima_ (country of the Vent). The caves were the holes of the body, venerated and used afterwards as temples and tombs.

This notion, and comparison of islands with turtles, recalls to mind the primitive turtle land of the Chinese, Hindus, Linapis &c. _Jaia_ or _Kaya_ for land has affinities all over the world and is a primitive word.(67)

_7th Event._ JAIA afterwards had a son, who was called _Jaia-El_, _Higuera_, or _Hibuera_ earth-son gourd.

This first man like Adam is son of the earth, and an EL or Angel, _Elohim_ of the orientals; it means in Haytian, son, offspring, family and tribe. It will often recur in subsequent history, in the singular for the plural. The plurals were _Eli_, _Ili_, _guaili_.—_Gua_ is only the article _This or Such_.(68)

_8th Event._ The sun and moon called _Boiniael_ and _Maroio_ by Roman; but _Binthaitel_ and _Marohu_ by Dangleria and Ovieda, come out of the cave _Jovovava_: they are Zemis and foes of mankind. A cave with the same name was their temple in Hayti. Dangleria calls it _Iovana-boina_ Jove Solar.

The exact time of this appearance is doubtful, and there appears to be two blended events, one of cosmogony alluding to the sun being long obscured by the primitive misty atmosphere, another historical alluding to the solar and lunar dynasties of Asia or America. The meaning of _Jovo-vava_ or _Kovo-vava_ is cave of fathers, both primitive names. The solar and lunar names have many analogies elsewhere, among which the chief are

_Names of the Sun._

_Oin_, _Oein_ of Arabs and Ethiopia. _Oboh_, _Baion_, old Egyptian. _Baon_, _Oan_ of Assyrians. _Ian_ of the Etruscans. _Belen_ of the Gauls. _Bun_ of the Zend. _Abolion_ of the Pelasgians. _Abloin_ of the Thessalians. _Ntiélé_ of the Illyrians. _Bian_ of the Ausonians. _Anactes_ of the Mysians.

_Names of the Moon._

_Yarho_ of the Syrians. _Aohri_ of the Tibus.

_Warha_ of the Ethiopians. _Carara_ of the Etruscans. _Teoro_ of the Betoys, S. A. _Heriho_ of Canaan. _Humuri_ of Old Arabic. _Matuaré_ of Carthul, Caucasus. _Maraca_ of Guaramis, S. A. _Marama_ of Polynesia. _Kamar_ in Maroco. _Kamaria_ in Pehlvi. _Gumara_ in Nubian.

Most of these synonyms and analogies are found in the most ancient languages: to which may be added that in the ancient Haikan language of Armenia, the sun and moon were called _Noah!_ and _Morante_, names also of Noah and his wife.

_9th Event._ The female Zemis, _Coatris-quia_ makes the springs and streams to flow over the earth, and became their goddess.

This is another period of oriental cosmogony, that of the irruption of subterranean waters and rain, which in the bible is posterior to Adam. The name of the Zemis is of doubtful meaning, probably _Coatris-quia_, hollow-quite. _Coa_ or _Cua_ was the name of ancient hollow temples all over America. _Quia_ is found in _Quisqueia_ oldest name of Hayti or the _great_ (land) _universal_.

_10th Event._ _Taragava-el_ and _Corocora_ or _Epileguanita_, two male Zemis of the woods and hunters, made the trees and beasts. This includes probably two events anterior to the men, unless they be men.

The meanings of these Zemis which might guide us, are quite doubtful. _Taraguva_ resembles _Tuyra_ and also _Turei_ heaven; but _Epileguanita_ was probably the ancient god of the _Caracol_ or Beastly-men, since it was represented by a beast or quadruped; while all the other Zemis as men and women. _Ili-guanita_ would mean in Haytian _children of the people_. Therefore I presume that these are personifications of the ancient hunters, or men of the woods with the beastly and savage men of early times. Roman calls the second _Corocore_, synonyme of _Caracara_.