Abigail Proctor
6A
Nov 3, 2021
Comparison Table for Tainos & Kalinagos
Aspect of Life Tainos
Social  They were monogamous, the
Cacique, however, was
Organization allowed to have multiple
wives.
 Had a community square
around which house were
built.
 Had a patriarchal society.
 Lived with extended families
 Were considered “peaceful”
Government  The chief called a “Cacique”
was a hereditary position.
 Cacique handled
distributions of land and
labor.
 Had structured leadership.
Religion  Believed in animism
meaning all objects, animals,
plants and places possess a
soul or spirt.
 Gods were represented by
idols called Zemis.
 Had persons they believed to
possess supernatural powers.
Customs  Flatted forehead of babies for
beauty.
 Smoked Tabaco Pipes
Food  Cassava was the main crop
Kalinagos
 They practiced polygamy.
 Had a communal fire place.
 Had a patriarchal society.
 Lived with extended families
 “Warlike” with boys being
trained as warriors from a
young age.
 The chief was called the
“Ubutu” this position could
be gain through feats of
strength and bravery.
 Ubutu decided when to raid or
attack.
 Were egalitarian
 Believed in a spirit world.
 Made offerings of food and
water to their Gods.
 Gods were represented by
idols called Zemis.
 Had persons who they
believed to possess
supernatural powers.
 Flatted forehead of babies for
beauty.
 Wore chains, dyes and had
piercings.
 Cassava was the main crop
 produced.
 Food was collected through
hunting, fishing and
gathering.
 Crops of maize, sweet potato
and other root crops.
 Mostly subsistence farming
 Ate Agouti
Farming  Used Conuco Cultivation to
produce foods rich in starch.
Methods  A Conuco is large mound
which was devised especially
for farming. They packed the
conuco with leaves which
improved drainage and
protected it from soil
erosion.
Architecture  Mud and Thach houses.
 Contain cooking and
domestic utensils as well as
hammocks.
Technology  Bows and Arrows were used
for hunting.
 Hammocks were used for
rest.
 Developed irrigation
systems.
produced.
 Food was collected through
hunting and fishing.
 Crops of maize, sweet potato
and other root crops.
 Traded on a small scale along
with subsistence farming.
 Used Conuco Cultivation to
produce foods rich in starch.
 A Conuco is large mound
which was devised especially
for farming. They packed the
conuco with leaves which
improved drainage and
protected it from soil erosion.
 Wooden houses with thatched
roofs.
 Contained spaces for
weapons.
 Bows and Arrows were used
for hunting.
 Straw baskets were used for
gathering.