A comparison of the three key indigenous groups that CXC examines in its annual examination in Caribbean History.

1. VERE TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL
Prepared by Mr. D. Gooden
Maya
The economy was based on agriculture but not conuco
cultivation.
Maize was the main crop.
The Maya relied more on agriculture than the Tainos and
Kalinagos.
They had a big market economy where they traded
cotton, textile, foodstuff, ceramics and gold.
They were settled people who established great stoned
cities.
Maya
Comparison of Economic Organization
Taino
Kalinago
Conuco cultivation was used.
Conuco cultivation was used.
Cassava was the main crop.
The Tainos hunted, gatherer and fished.
Cassava was the main crop.
The Kalinagos mostly hunted and fished.
They were subsistence farmers, but on the larger islands, They traded on a small scale.
like Cuba and Hispaniola (Haiti), they traded on a small
scale.
They were settled but with smaller communities than the They were still a rather mobile, nomadic people.
Maya.
Comparison of Social Organization
Taino
The head was called the halach uinich. This position was
hereditary.
The chief was called a cacique. This position was
hereditary.
The houses of ordinary Mayans were small and simple,
but the houses of the nobles were built of sculptured
stones. Ordinary people lived on the outskirts of the
temple and only went in to worship and buy their food.
They lived in households containing extended families.
The men had one main wife, but also had other
concubines.
They had ball courts.
Tainos built houses around the community square and
living space.
They lived in households containing extended families.
They did not practise polygamy. Only the cacique could
have more than one wife.
They had ball courts in the community square.
Kalinago
The chief was called an ubutu (ouboutu). This position
was attained by the head of the largest family. Physical
strength was important.
Kalinagos did not have a community square, but had a
communal fireplace.
They lived in households containing extended families.
They practised polygamy.
They had no ball court.

2. Maya
The Maya believed strongly in a spirit world.
They worshipped Quetzalcoatl, the great God and
cultural hero.
They offered blood sacrifices and they believed that
torture and human sacrifices brought fertility.
They had priests.
They worshipped god who represented the sun, moon,
rain and corn. The main purpose of worship was to
ensure good crops.
Comparison of Religions
Taino
The Taino believed in animism which was based on the
existence of a spirit world.
They worshipped the universal Creator, Aluberi.
They did not give offering to their gods. Their gods were
represented by zemis.
They had men called piaimer who they believed
possessed supernatural powers.
They had eight classes of spirits – both good and bad.
Kalinago
The kalinagos believed strongly in a spirit world.
They claimed that Analwaea and his brotherVochi
created the world.
They offered material goods such as food and water.
They had men called piaimer who they believed
possessed supernatural powers.
They had five classes of spirits – both good and bad.