Indigenous People of

the Caribbean
Presented by Mr. M. Martin
Indigenous People of the Caribbean

 Common tribes- Kalinagos, Wa-wa,Caribs, Taino , Arawaks, Macushi

(Guyana)
 Geopgraphical location spans south American countries such as Guyana,
Venezuela as well as scattered descendants in a few Caribbean islands.
 Guyana hinterland/interior/shield- Rupununi Savannas,wetlands &
Iwokrama Forest main sites for remaining tribes of First people/Indigenous
tribes.
 Many aspects or way of life is reflected in respect for environment; living
in harmony with environment to allow sustainability and preservation.
Housing

 Construction is simple, unobstrusive,environmentally sustainable and

reflective if biodegradable materials.
 Roofs are composed of grass, woven together and waterproofed by naturally
occurring substances such as bitumen or tar.
 Posts are load bearing and made from tree trunks tied to beams with vines and
other sturdy, natural materials.
 Walls are slabs from Wallaba trees and termite treated using natural repellents
collected from natural plants eg Marigold plant.
 Houses built on posts /off ground to reduce damage by flooding but most
importantly, allow natural vegetative covering eg grasses to grow below homes
and allow soil stabilization/reduce erosion by agents of wind and water.
 Wall reduction to capitalize on free movement of air currents and allow natural
lighting; energy efficiency
Agriculture

 Slash & burn agriculture techniques-land cleared by cutting and burning vegetation. Ash produced used as a fertiliser to
plants.
 Crop rotation- different crops rotated year after year to allow nutrient replenishment; legumes-peas & beans add
nitrogen which was removed by other crops
 Mixed cropping/intercropping- cultivation of a variety of crops simultaneously to allow nutrient replensishment. Legumes
planted with a series of other crops
 Terracing- cutting of steps into sloping land using simple techniques to allow soil stabilization; reduce surface runoff and
soil erosion.
 Contour farming- planting of crops along contours of land to reduce soil erosion.
 Shifting cultivation – moving from one area/plot to another every few years to allow land to fallow- nutrient regeneration
and regrowth of vegetation.
 Use of toxins from plants in arrowheads to tranquilise or kill large animals during hunter-gatherer lifestyle.
 Use of simple farming implements- made from natural products- hoe , rake and livestock used for plouging and seeding
etc; harvesting by hand
 Respect for environment- treat land with respect and life will be bountiful/prosperous.
 Subsistence level- for immediate household or oneself; extra shared among community; surplus sold to other villages via
bartering system
Transport

 Natural track cut using simple tools-cutlasses;sometimes hidden/obscured

to reduce invasion by intruders/individuals outside community.
 Water transport via canoes, small boats
 Swing bridges over water courses to connect villages or community homes.
 In areas like Rupununi Savannas, small airstrip available for lightweight
aircrafts bringing external visitors eg Doctors to drop off/deliver supplies
as part of vaccination programmes or public education drives.
Religious beliefs/doctrines

 Nature viewed as the controller of life.

 What is done to environment will influence how it affects man/humans. –
cyclical.
 Water represents purity and many rituals are centred around these water
courses – avoid contamination by chemicals.
 Environmental degradation may anger Spirits, Ancestors and generation of
natural events such as storms, floods, earthquakes/seismic events etc
 Subsistence use-avoid excess utilization/depletion of resources.
 Ancestral hierarchy aided by Community heads or leaders.
 Natural healing and purification rituals performed by Elders of Commumity.
 Values, norms passedon from one generation to another(preservation of
cultural and religious beliefs).