Anacaoana, Taino queen (Women's history podcast)

Summary

The radio program 'Your Grandma Rocks' explores the life of Anacaoana, a Taino queen from Hispaniola, known for her resistance against Spanish conquest. Born in 1474, Anacaoana was a peace-loving figure, yet portrayed variably across Spanish accounts. The show delves into her story, featuring music from Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Cuba, reflecting her cultural impact. Despite the scarcity of firsthand accounts, Anacaoana's legacy as a symbol of defiance and cultural identity endures, resonating in modern Caribbean art and history.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Philippe Girard and Amber Hale are professors from McNeese State University, hosting a program exploring the life of Anacaoana, a historical figure from the Caribbean.
• 🌟 Anacaoana was a Taino queen, born around 1474, who was the sister of a king in Haiti and the wife of a king in the Dominican Republic.
• 🛡️ She was known for her resistance against the Spanish conquistadors and is considered a national hero in several Caribbean countries.
• 🎵 The program includes music from Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba, reflecting Anacaoana's cultural heritage and influence.
• 🏰 Anacaoana was born into the Taino civilization, which dominated the northern Caribbean before the Spanish conquest.
• 👑 Her name, meaning 'golden flower' in the Taino language, signifies her high status as a royal figure in her society.
• 📚 The historical accounts of Anacaoana's life vary, often reflecting the biases of the Spanish authors who wrote about her.
• 🌴 The Taino people had no written language, so much of what is known about Anacaoana comes from Spanish conquistadors' accounts, which may be skewed.
• 🗣️ Anacaoana's voice is missing from historical records, and the stories told about her are often filtered through the perspectives of others.
• 🔥 The Spanish conquest brought diseases, forced labor, and violence to the Taino people, significantly impacting their population and culture.
• ⚔️ Anacaoana's resistance to Spanish colonization and her ultimate execution have made her a symbol of defiance and a figure of admiration in the Caribbean.

Q & A

Who are the hosts of the 'Your Grandma Rocks' radio program?

The hosts of the 'Your Grandma Rocks' radio program are Professor Philippe Girard from the history department and Amber Hale from the biology department, both at McNeese State University.

What is the significance of the name 'Anacaoana' in the Taino language?

In the Taino language, 'Anacaoana' means 'golden flower'.

What was the original name of the island that is now split into Haiti and the Dominican Republic?

The original name of the island was Ayiti, which meant 'mountainous island'.

How did the Tainos commemorate important events without a written language?

The Tainos commemorated important events through public performances called areitos, which served as a form of historical record.

What was the Spanish term for the Taino kings?

The Spanish referred to the Taino kings as 'caciques'.

What was the name of the fort built by Christopher Columbus in Haiti?

The fort built by Christopher Columbus in Haiti was called Fort Navidad, meaning 'Fort Christmas'.

What event led to the death of Anacaoana's husband?

Anacaoana's husband was captured and sent to Spain on a ship, but he died en route, possibly of sorrow or smallpox, according to different accounts.

How did Anacaoana use areitos to communicate with the Spanish?

Anacaoana used areitos, a form of public performance, to convey messages and negotiate with the Spanish, such as organizing a dance with 300 naked virgins and staging a mock battle.

What was the Spanish system of forced labor imposed on the Tainos called?

The Spanish system of forced labor imposed on the Tainos was called 'repartimiento'.

How was Anacaoana executed by the Spanish?

Anacaoana was executed by public hanging in the city of Santo Domingo.

Why is Anacaoana considered a national hero in Haiti?

Anacaoana is considered a national hero in Haiti because she fought against Spanish colonization and was executed for her resistance.

What is the significance of the novel 'Anacaona, Golden Flower of Haiti' by Edwige Danticat?

The novel 'Anacaona, Golden Flower of Haiti' by Edwige Danticat is significant as it provides a narrative of Anacaoana's life and her struggle against Spanish colonization, offering insights into her character and historical context.

What misconception did Eduardo Sanchez have about the origin of the words in his symphony dedicated to Anacaoana?

Eduardo Sanchez falsely claimed that the words in his symphony dedicated to Anacaoana were of Taino origin when they were actually of Congolese origin, coming from voodoo ceremonies organized by African slaves in Cuba.

Outlines

00:00

🎙️ Introduction to 'Your Grandma Rocks' Show

The script opens with an introduction to the radio show 'Your Grandma Rocks' hosted by Philippe Girard from the history department and Amber Hale from the biology department at McNeese State University. The show aims to explore the lives of notable women in history, starting with Anacaoana, a significant figure from the Caribbean. The hosts set the stage by mentioning that Anacaoana was related to royalty in what is now Haiti and the Dominican Republic and was involved in conflicts with Spanish conquistadors. The introduction also highlights the inclusion of music from the regions Anacaoana was associated with, emphasizing the cultural aspect of the show.

05:06

🏝️ Anacaoana's Background and Taino Heritage

This paragraph delves into Anacaoana's origins, discussing her birth around 1474 on the island of Ayiti, later known as Hispaniola, which is now divided into Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Anacaoana was a Taino, a Native American group that inhabited the northern Caribbean before the Spanish conquest. The Tainos, related to the Arawak Indians, migrated from South America to the Caribbean. Anacaoana, whose name means 'golden flower,' was of high social status being the sister of the king of Jaragua and the wife of the king of Maguana. The paragraph also touches on the lack of firsthand Taino accounts due to the absence of a written language and the reliance on Spanish accounts, which may be biased.

11:35

🛡️ Columbus's Arrival and Anacaoana's Resistance

The narrative shifts to 1492 with Columbus's arrival in Haiti and the subsequent establishment of Fort Navidad. It recounts the story of Anacaoana's husband, the king of Managua, leading an attack against the Spanish, possibly with Anacaoana's involvement. The paragraph discusses the varying accounts of Anacaoana's life, emphasizing the Spanish authors' portrayal of her as violent to justify their conquest. It also hints at the broader context of the Tainos' resistance to invasion, including the impact of European diseases and the Spanish's brutal treatment of the indigenous people.

17:10

🎶 Music and Anacaoana's Legacy in Dominican Republic

The paragraph introduces a segment of the show dedicated to music, specifically a lively song by Milly Quezada, known as the Queen of Merengue in the Dominican Republic. The hosts draw a parallel between Milly Quezada's royalty in music and Anacaoana's royal status in history. The paragraph also reflects on Anacaoana's life during the Spanish conquest, her portrayal as a rebel or freedom fighter, and the challenges of interpreting her actions through the lens of Spanish accounts.

22:36

🎭 Anacaoana's Diplomatic and Cultural Influence

This section focuses on Anacaoana's role in diplomacy and cultural expression through the Taino tradition of the 'areito,' a public performance commemorating significant events. Anacaoana is said to have organized an areito to negotiate with Bartholomew Columbus, using it as a tool for communication and possibly to influence the outcome of the negotiations. The paragraph explores the complexity of interpreting Anacaoana's intentions and actions, as well as the Spanish chroniclers' potential biases in recording these events.

28:08

👑 Anacaoana's Rise to Power and Tragic End

The paragraph describes Anacaoana's ascension to power following the deportation of her husband to Spain and the death of her brother in 1503. It discusses the Spanish justification for their harsh treatment of the Tainos, including forced labor and the introduction of new diseases. The narrative also covers Anacaoana's refusal to submit to the Spanish, leading to her execution by hanging at the age of 29. The paragraph highlights the growth of her reputation over time and her portrayal as a mythic figure rather than a historical person.

📚 Anacaoana's Posthumous Fame and Cultural Impact

The final paragraph reflects on Anacaoana's enduring legacy, particularly after many Caribbean islands gained independence. It mentions her status as a national hero in Haiti and an icon in the Spanish Caribbean, with references to a novel and a symphony composed in her honor. The paragraph also addresses the manipulation of Anacaoana's image for political purposes and the ongoing efforts to finance fellowships at McNeese, concluding with a thank you to the listeners and sponsors of the show.

Keywords

💡Anacaoana

Anacaoana was a historical figure, a Taino queen who played a significant role in the Spanish conquest of the Caribbean. Her name, meaning 'golden flower' in the Taino language, is central to the video's narrative as it explores her life, struggles, and legacy. The script discusses her as a sister of a Native American King in Haiti and the wife of a king in the Dominican Republic, emphasizing her royal status and the challenges she faced against the Spanish conquistadors.

💡Taino

The Taino people were the indigenous inhabitants of the Caribbean, particularly in areas such as Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, and Cuba. In the video, the Tainos are portrayed as a group that dominated the northern part of the Caribbean before the Spanish conquest. Anacaoana is identified as a Taino, highlighting her cultural background and the broader context of the Taino's encounter with the Spanish.

💡Hispaniola

Hispaniola is the island in the Caribbean where the modern nations of Haiti and the Dominican Republic are located. The video discusses Hispaniola as the original home of Anacaoana and the setting for the Spanish conquest. It was renamed by the Spanish from its indigenous name, Ayiti, and the script uses it to illustrate the historical and geographical backdrop of Anacaoana's story.

💡Conquistadors

Conquistadors refers to the Spanish soldiers and explorers who conquered and colonized the Americas. In the script, the Spanish conquistadors are depicted as the adversaries of Anacaoana and the Tainos, highlighting the conflict and resistance that shaped the history of the Caribbean during the 15th and 16th centuries.

💡Cacique

A cacique is a term used to describe a chief or king in the indigenous cultures of the Americas, particularly among the Taino people. In the video, Anacaoana's brother and husband are mentioned as caciques, indicating their leadership roles in their respective Taino kingdoms and their significance in the historical events discussed.

💡Areito

An areito is a type of public performance or ceremony that was a significant part of Taino culture. The script describes how Anacaoana organized an areito as a diplomatic tool to communicate with the Spanish, reflecting the cultural practices of the Tainos and their importance in conveying messages and commemorating events.

💡Columbian Exchange

The Columbian Exchange refers to the widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, and diseases between the Americas and the Old World following the voyage of Christopher Columbus. In the script, the term is used to explain the introduction of European diseases like smallpox to the Americas, which had a devastating impact on the indigenous populations, including Anacaoana's people.

💡Bartolome de las Casas

Bartolome de las Casas was a Spanish priest and historian who is known for his advocacy for the rights of the indigenous peoples of the Americas. The video mentions him as a source of information about Anacaoana, portraying the Tainos in a more positive light and highlighting the complexity of historical accounts and perspectives.

💡National Hero

The term 'national hero' is used in the script to describe the posthumous recognition of Anacaoana as a figure who resisted European colonization and is celebrated for her bravery and significance in the history of the Caribbean. Her status as a national hero reflects the evolving perception of her legacy and the importance of historical figures in shaping national identities.

💡Repartimiento

Repartimiento was a system of forced labor imposed by the Spanish on the indigenous populations of the Americas. In the script, it is mentioned as one of the factors contributing to the Tainos' revolt against the Spanish, illustrating the oppressive conditions they faced and Anacaoana's resistance to such treatment.

💡Independence

Independence in the context of the video refers to the historical process by which various Caribbean islands, including Haiti and Cuba, gained their freedom from colonial rule. The script discusses how Anacaoana's reputation grew after many Caribbean islands obtained their independence, reflecting her role as a symbol of resistance and the evolving significance of her story.

Highlights

Introduction to the radio program 'Your Grandma Rocks' exploring the lives of famous women in history, starting with Anacaoana, a remarkable woman from Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Anacaoana was the sister of a Native American King in Haiti and wife of a king in the Dominican Republic, battling Spanish conquistadors.

Anacaoana's name means 'golden flower' in the Taino language, highlighting her royal status and cultural significance.

The Taino people, related to the Arawak Indians, migrated from South America to the northern Caribbean, forming the dominant group before the Spanish conquest.

Anacaoana's life and actions are primarily known through Spanish accounts, which may have biased or manipulated the story to justify their conquest.

Contrasting accounts of Anacaoana portray her as both a peace-loving figure and a violent rebel, depending on the Spanish author's agenda.

Anacaoana's involvement in the armed resistance against the Spanish is disputed, with some accounts suggesting she was part of a revolt led by her husband.

The Columbian Exchange brought European diseases to the Americas, devastating the Taino population and possibly contributing to Anacaoana's husband's death.

Anacaoana's role in organizing an areito, a public performance in Taino culture, demonstrates her influence and the importance of such events in commemorating history.

The Spanish conquest and its impact on the Taino people are discussed, including forced labor systems like repartimiento and the introduction of new diseases.

Anacaoana's defiance of the Spanish, refusing to become a concubine of a conquistador, showcases her as a symbol of resistance.

Anacaoana's execution by public hanging in 1503 and her growing reputation as a national hero after the Caribbean islands gained independence.

The novel 'Anacaona, Golden Flower of Haiti' by Edwige Danticat is recommended for further exploration of her story.

Anacaoana's legacy as an icon in the Spanish Caribbean, with a symphony composed in her honor and her name used for an all-female Cuban band.

The manipulation of Anacaoana's image to fit political agendas throughout history, reflecting the challenges of understanding the true story of her life.

The program's funding by a Juliet Hartdener grant and the history department at McNeese, highlighting the importance of supporting women in the humanities.

Transcripts

Hello my name is Philippe Girard, I am a professor in the  history department at McNeese State University. And  

I am Amber Hale! I'm from the biology department  at McNeese. Welcome to 'Your Grandma Rocks" where  

we explore the lives of famous women in history.  Welcome and bienvenue à nos amis francophones ! Vous écoutez la radio de l’université McNeese.

On the program today, music and  history as we retrace the life of a remarkable  

woman. She was the sister of a Native American King  in what is today Haiti and the wife of a king in  

the Dominican Republic. She battled the Spanish  conquistadors and she paid the ultimate price  

for it. Her name was Anacaoana. Along the way  we'll sample songs from Haiti and the Dominican  

Republic, where she came from and from Cuba, where  she's also considered a national hero. We will  

even throw in a Puerto Rican song for free! That  song is called "Anacaoana" by Cheo Feliciano.

Bonjour and welcome back to "your grandma rocks!"  We just listen to the song "Anacaoana" Je m'appelle 

Philippe Girard. And I'm Amber Hale! Today we're  exploring the life of you guessed it Anacaoana! 

She came from an island originally known  as Ayiti, which meant "mountainous Island." The Spanish  

renamed it "Hispaniola", the Spanish island. Today  the island is split between the republic of  

Haiti to the west and the Dominican Republic  to the east. She was born around 1474, about  

20 years before the first voyage of Christopher  Columbus. She was a Taino, the Native American  

group that dominated the northern part of  the Caribbean before the Spanish conquest. The  

Tainos are related to the Arawak Indians of the  Amazon. Over the years they had migrated from South  

America to the northern Caribbean, where they  settled in Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, and Cuba. Her  

name meant "golden flower" in the Taino language.  She was born in the kingdom of Jaragua. That would  

be around Port-au-Prince today. Jaragua was  one of five kingdoms in Hispaniola. Each was ruled  

by a Taino king known as a cacique. She stood at  the top of the social pyramid since she was the  

sister of the king of Jaragua. In fact, she was a  royal twice-over because she married the ruler  

of the kingdom of Maguana, which is in today's  Dominican Republic. The two had a child together  

but the details about this child have been lost to  history. No big surprise there. Our knowledge of the  

Tainos is pretty sketchy in general because they  didn't have a written language, and they did not  

survive the Spanish conquest. Instead, we must rely  on accounts by the Spanish conquistadors: that is  

to say, the very people who conquered the Tainos.   You know what they say: history is written by the  

winners! Well that definitely applies here. Those  Spanish accounts vary widely. Depending on the  

author, the most famous account was by Bartolome de las Casas,  a priest known as the quote "protector of the  

Indians." He portrayed the Tainos like Anacaoana  as peace-loving. That may have been true but Las  

Casas was trying to prove that he could easily  convert the Tainos if only the conquistadors  

treated them more gently, so he may have tweaked  their story a little. Other accounts by Fernandez  

de Oviedo and Peter d'Anghiera are completely  different. Those authors describe the Tainos as  

savage brutes. But they had their own agenda: they  wanted to justify the conquest of the Caribbean  

and the enslavement of the Tainos. Today the people of the Caribbean portray Anacoana and the  

Tainos in a very positive light. Which is also  problematic: they want to find national heroes  

who resisted European colonization. The one thing  missing from all of these accounts is Anacaoana's  

own voice. We face the same issue when we studied  La Malinche, she another Indian woman who was active  

during the Spanish conquest of Mexico. La Malinche and Anacoana were two key figures in the  

history of that period and yet we have no document  by them. So, the only thing we know for sure is  

that Anacaoana was the sister and the wife of two  kings. It's now time to set the clock forward to  

1492. The year in which Columbus sailed the ocean  blue. But we'll take a musical break first. Since  

she came from the area of Port-au-Prince, can  we listen to some Haitian music? I have a great  

song for you. It's called "Ti Chans Pou Ayiti" and  it's essentially Haitian rap. I didn't know you  

liked Haitian rap? I normally don't, but I make  an exception for this one. I used to play it full  

blast when picking up my daughter from ballet.  She either had to pretend that she didn't know  

me and walk all the way home, or walk up to the car  and acknowledge to her fancy ballet friends that  

the guy playing the Haitian rap song was her  dad. Oh poor girl. Don't worry she got over it.

Welcome back I'm Amber Hale co-host of "your  grandma rocks" your favorite women's history  

show on KBYS. E je suis Philippe Girard. C’était “une petite chance pour Haiti.” Vous écoutez la radio de l’université McNeese. We  

just listen to some Haitian rap. Which wasn't  too bad! I knew you'd like it! Before our break,  

Anacaoana, the subject of today's show, was an  Indian queen living in what are today Haiti and  

the Dominican Republic. The year was 1492 when  Columbus after stopping in the Bahamas and Cuba  

made his way to Haiti. On Christmas Eve, he decided  to take a little break. So he left his flagship in  

the hands of an underling who then proceeded  to wreck the ship on a coral reef. Oops! With  

the wreckage from his flagship, Columbus built  a fort in northern Haiti: that was the first  

Spanish settlement in the New World. He called  it Fort Navidad, meaning "Fort Christmas." Columbus  

and his men were later attacked by a group of  Taino Indians near the Samana Peninsula. They  

called that spot "Punta Flecha": the peninsula of  arrows. Apparently the leader of the attackers  

was none other than Anacaona's own husband,  the king of Managua. Her husband then proceeded  

to destroy the Spanish settlement at Fort Navidad.  Supposedly Anacaona was with him. But  

remember that accounts of Anacaona's life vary  a lot depending on the authors. The story of her  

involvement in the armed resistance were spread  by Spanish authors who wanted to portray her as  

violent to justify the conquest. These stories also  never explained why the Tainos had revolted in the  

first place. After all, they were the ones who had  been invaded! So, depending on your perspective, Anacaona  

could be described as a rebel against  the Spanish or as a freedom fighter defending  

her homeland. Her husband was eventually captured  and sent to Spain on a ship. But he never made  

it there: he died en route, supposedly of sorrow. I  think that's another instance of hiding important  

truths about the conquest. When they settled in the  Caribbean, the Spanish brought many diseases that  

were unknown in the Americas. That's called the  Columbian Exchange: when the very different ecosystems  

of Europe and Americas collided. The Tainos had  no natural immunity against European diseases, so  

they died in huge numbers from imported diseases  like smallpox. Maybe that's what killed off Anacaona's 

husband: smallpox, not sorrow. Oh that sounds  more likely. But enough about war and pestilence.  

Time for our third song! That song is actually  called "Take my life." Oh No sounds like a real downer?  

No, it's a lively song by Milly Quezada. She's very  popular in the Dominican Republic, where she's known as Queen of Merengue. So she is royalty too! Yes! Just like Anacaona!

Bonjour a tous and welcome back to "your grandma  rocks" on KBYS. This was the 2011 Dominican song  

"Toma mi vida" by Milly Quezada. I am Philippe Girard. And I'm Amber Hale. Today we're covering the  

life of Anacaona, a Taino queen who lived during  the Spanish conquest of Hispaniola. She's been 

portrayed very differently depending on the  sources. Supporters of the conquest accused  

her of destroying Spanish settlements. But we  get a very different story from the priest  

Bartolome de las Casas. His story takes place  in 1496, four years after the first contact,  

and it involves Bartholomew Columbus. Who was the  brother of Christopher Columbus. Bartholomew went  

to the kingdom ruled by Anacaona's brother  to collect a tribute in gold. The brother only  

wanted to give him some hemp and cotton though,  and so negotiations began. Anacaona played  

a central role in that process by organizing an areito. What does that mean? It's a type of public  

performance that was a major part of Taino  culture. Remember that they didn't have a writing  

system: so they would stage plays as a way to  commemorate important events from the past. So  

they wanted to have a history, even if they didn't  know about writing. Yes, history matters! Shaping  

the past has always been a political tool. Taino  chiefs could send a message based on the kind of  

areito that they selected for their guest.  They could pick a peaceful poem accompanied  

by dances and drumming; or they could celebrate  past victories with battle reenactments. So, which  

kind of entertainment did Anacaona pick  for Bartholomew Columbus? Supposedly, she had  

300 naked virgins dance for the benefit of her  Spanish guests. Was she trying to obtain better  

items by titillating her guests, I mean after all,  all of them are male, right? Maybe but remember  

that we only know of these events through Spanish  sources. So maybe the author was trying to portray  

the Tainos as naked and lascivious savages. So  that they had a reason to conquer and civilize  

them. Exactly, so we're left with a lot of questions  and few answers. It seems that Anacaona was  

also involved in drafting the lyrics, in which  case she was not just a queen but a poet. But  

known of the Taino poetry has survived. That's so  frustrating. The next day Anacaona put  

together a very different kind of show. This time,  she staged the mock battle where people fought  

each other with wooden swords. Wow, so she used  the carrot and the stick. 300 naked virgins if  

the Spanish wanted to offer favorable terms or  some formidable warriors if they wanted to fight.  

That reminds me of Queen Njinga, who also mixed  diplomacy and war when facing the Portuguese  

in Angola. We did a show about her. So did it work?  According to the chronicler Bartolome de las Casas,  

it did. But then again, he wanted to encourage his  fellow Spaniards to negotiate with the Tainos. Time  

for more music? Sure we're headed back to Haiti  this time with a classic song "Ayiti Cherie."

This was "Beloved Haiti" by the band Ti Coca. You're  listening to "your grandma rocks" on KBYS! I'm  

Amber Hale. Et je suis Philippe Girard. Today we are retracing  the life of the Tiano Queen Anacaona, who ruled  

parts of Haiti and the Dominican Republic until  the Spanish conquest. Initially, she was just the  

wife of the king of Managua, and the sister of the  king of Jaragua. But her husband was deported to  

Spain, and then in 1503 her brother also died. That  left her in charge of a huge chunk of the island  

of Hispaniola. By this point, she had largely given  up on diplomacy. The Spanish had a good explanation  

for it. According to one chronicler "she was very  dishonest in the venereal act with the Christians,  

and she was renowned as the most dissolute woman  that could be found on the entire island." Wait did  

you just call her the b-word? Essentially yes! That  happens to a lot of powerful women who don't want  

to play along. Blaming her depraved morals was  a way to hide the real reason why the Tainos  

revolted: the Spanish had subjected the Tainos to  a form of forced labor known as repartimiento.  

Under this system, the Tainos were expected  to work for a part of the year for free for  

the Spanish, like medieval serfs. Also the Taino population was in free fall because of all the  

new diseases introduced from Europe. And don't  forget the outright Spanish brutality. Our other  

main source, Las Casas, gives graphic descriptions  of the atrocities committed by the conquistadors.  

One infamous incident involved governor Ovando, who summoned all the Taino Chiefs for what  

was supposed to be a peaceful meeting. Las Casas  described the scene like this quote "300 leaders  

arrived upon the summons of the governor. He made  those of the highest rank enter into a large thatch  

structure by deceit, and once inside, he ordered  that it be set on fire and he burned them alive.  

All the others were killed with lances or  put to the sword." Where was Anacaona  

at the time? She had been summoned to that meeting too,  so she witnessed this horrible scene. Why didn't  

they kill her along with the other Chiefs? "To  show her honor" according to Las Casas. Clearly she  

was seen as a special person. According to a local  tradition, the Spanish offered her clemency if she  

agreed to become the concubine of a conquistador.  But she refused saying that she'd rather die then  

sleep with the enemy. So, she was a dissolute woman  according to the Spanish, and a saint according  

to her admirers? And we have no way to know if  either story is true. Anacaona was taken to  

the city of Santo Domingo where she was executed  by public hanging. She was about 29 years old at  

the time. That's a sad end to our story but it's  not really the end of the story, because her  

reputation only grew with time. In fact, since we  don't have sources written by her, we don't really  

know the real Anacaona, only the image  of Anacaona. So we're covering a myth more than  

a person. Exactly! She's a screen onto which people  project their own visions of the past. So, where is  

she famous today? In Haiti and the Dominican  Republic, obviously, because that's where she  

ruled. But she also has a lot of admirers in the  rest of the Caribbean. I noticed that one song we  

played was from Puerto Rico. Oh she's a big icon  in Cuba too. In the 1930s one band in  

Havana was named after her. It was started by a  lady named Cuchito Castro, who enlisted all ten of  

her sisters in the band. Wow eleven sisters in  all? Sadly, when the sister reached their teenage  

years, the dad went crazy and he had to be sent to  an insane asylum. People in the 30s thought that  

only men could play Cuban music, so the Castro  sisters formed an all-women band to prove them  

wrong. It was a huge hit: they performed all the  way from New York to Paris. And of course they  

picked Anacoana as the name of their band.  We will listen to their song "Tumba y Quinto.

Bienvenue à tous! This was “Tumba y quinto” by the all-female Cuban band Anacaona. Je m’appelle Philippe Girard

And I'm Amber Hale. You're listening to  "your grandma rocks" on KBYS. Today we retraced the  

life of Queen Anacaona, who fought against the  Spanish colonization of the Caribbean, only to be  

executed in 1503. Her reputation only grew after  many Caribbean islands obtained their independence  

in the 19th century. The first was her native  Haiti, which became independent in 1804. She's now  

considered a national hero there. I recommend that  you check out the novel "Anacaona, golden flower  

of Haiti" by the Haitian American writer Edwige Danticat. She also became an icon in the Spanish  

Caribbean. In Cuba, which became independent in 1898,  Eduardo Sanchez even composed a whole symphony in  

her honor. It includes a motif called "areito antillano" which is supposedly made of bits and  

pieces of foreign words dating all the way back  to the plays staged by Anacaona in the 16th  

century. Wow you mean to tell me that some of her  poetry survived as an oral tradition? I wish! But  

the words have since been analyzed by linguists  and they turn out to be of Congolese origin not  

Taino. They came from voodoo ceremonies organized  by African slaves in Cuba. Sanchez falsely claimed  

that the words were Taino so as to erase  African contributions to Cuba's musical culture.  

How fascinating. To the end, she remained a symbol  that people manipulated to fit their political  

agenda. At least it was a great story! It was! We're  so glad we could share it with you. This program  

was funded by a Juliet Hartdener grant for women  in the humanities. For more information on how  

to help finance fellowships at McNeese, contact  the foundation at 337 475 5504.  

This program was also  sponsored by the history department at McNeese.  

To apply for a degree in history or other fields  contact the McNeese admissions office at 337 475 5504.   Thank you for listening and good bye! Merci et au revoir!