3/28/2011

U.S. Census Shows Increase in Borikén’s Indigenous Population

Borikén/Puerto Rico (UCTP Taino News) - The 2010 U.S. Census count for Borikén (Puerto Rico) had some significant surprises. The census reveals a 48.8 percent gain over the last 2000 census in the American Indian category, which is a verifiable resurgence of indigenous affirmation among families on the island. With DNA research documenting the continuation of the pre-Colombian indigenous Taino gene-pool and the increasing visibility of active Taino community organizations and cultural manifestations – the myth of extinction is finally being dispelled.

The Director of the United Confederation of Taino People’s Borikén Liaison Office, Roger Guayakan Hernandez attributes the increase in the census count to expansion of information and communications technologies available today.

"We have always been here but recently there has been an explosion of pertinent information regarding Borikén's indigenous heritage. The difference is that now there are more ways to get the information to the people" stated Hernandez.

Hernandez noted that the Confederation, an official Census partner, used the increased focus on Taino heritage as well as new technologies like social networks in its campaign to raise awareness about the census process.

With the 2010 U.S. Census counting 19,839 individuals living in Puerto Rico officially claiming American Indian heritage, the Taino community is indeed becoming visible after two centuries of near invisibility.

Hernandez continued stating that "the whole chapter on the Caribbean's Amerindian history is being reexamined and supports the affirmation of indigenous descendant families on and even off the island”.

A 1790 Puerto Rican Census count in an area called “Las Indieras documented fewer than 3,000 ‘Indios (Indians)’ on the western side of the island. Since then, with official census terminology changing to discount the indigenous population, a reversal has taken place revealing how Taino families see themselves in the 21st Century.

"Colonial history may have counted us out in Puerto Rico, but today the Taino People have clearly counted ourselves back in" declared Hernandez.

UCTPTN 03.28.2011

3/18/2011

LATIN AMERICAN ARTS FESTIVAL in NY

The American Museum of Natural History's Latin American Arts Festival highlights the richness and diversity of creative art forms practiced in various Latin American cultures. Experience Aztec dances, mariachi, Andean and Taino music performances, poetry, and an instrument-making workshop, and meet contemporary artists in the Museum’s cultural halls.

Saturday, March 19, 2011
FREE and open to the public.

Program Schedule


- Opening Ceremony, Noon: A 'Call to the 4 Directions' by Atl-Tlachinolli at the 77th Street entrance and art tables open in the Hall of Mexico and Central America and the Hall of South American Peoples.

- Cuatro Music Presentation, 12:30 pm, Hall of Mexico and Central America: La Rondalla de Cuatros de la La Casa de la Herencia Cultural Puertorriqueña, a cuatro music ensemble highlights this stringed instrument used in Puerto Rico and throughout Latin America.

- Aztec Dance, 1 pm, Hall of Mexico and Central America: Atl-Tlachinolli, a Mexica dance group, performs the centuries-old indigenous ritual dance traditions of the Aztecs using pre-Columbian instruments, rhythms, and regalia.

- Spoken Word, 1:35 pm, Hall of Mexico and Central America: Acclaimed poets “La Bruja” Caridad De La Luz and Taina Padro will present a special spoken word set linking ancestral heritage to contemporary identity.

- Mariachi Music Presentation, 2 pm, Hall of Mexico and Central America: Directed by Alvaro Paulino Jr., members of the Mariachi Tapatio de Alvaro Paulino and the Mariachi Mano a Mano promote the beauty and splendor of mariachi music.

- Workshop: Ceramic Instrument-Making, 2:30 pm, Hall of South American Peoples: Patricia Aranibar leads participants through an adventure with clay to create whistles and ocarinas (clay flutes).

- Songs from Borikén, la Isla del Encanto, 3 pm, Hall of Mexico and Central America: Margarita Nogueras-Vidal (Taíno) presents songs from the mountains of Borikén (Puerto Rico).

- Cantos quechuas/ Songs from the Quechua Traditions, 3:30 pm, Hall of South American Peoples: Milagros Albrecht, accompanied by musicians from AbyaYala Arte y Cultura, brings to life the sounds and the feeling of the Peruvian Andes through Quechua songs.

- Andean Musical Procession, 3:45 pm, Hall of Mexico to Hall of South American Peoples: Tahuantinsuyo, a group of traditional Andean musicians, will lead a pre-Columbian style Andean music procession. The procession will introduce audiences to the sounds and instruments used in the days of the Incas through modern times.

- Andean Music Performance, 4:15 pm, Hall of South American Peoples: Tahuantinsuyo will perform music from the ancient Incan empire, now the countries of Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, and Colombia.

Programs are subject to change.


This program is co-presented with Cultura Mexicana Sin Fronteras; PR Dream/Media Noche; United Confederation of Taíno People; Latinos NYC; La Diva Latina Magazine; La Casa de la Herencia Cultural Puertorriqueña, Inc.; Kichwa Nation; and Abya Yala Arte y Cultura

Source: amnh.org

3/16/2011

Earthquake of the Coast of Kiskeia and Boriken


UCTP Taino News - At 9:43 AM Atlantic Standard Time on March 16, an earthquake with preliminary magnitude 5.4 occurred of the coast of the Kiskeia (Dominican Republic), 80 miles/129 Km northwest of Mayaguez, Borikén (Puerto Rico) . The magnitude is such that a tsunami will not be generated. The location and magnitude are based on preliminary information. Further information will be issued by the United States Geological Survey or the Puerto Rico Seismic Network.

UCTPTN 03.16.2011

3/11/2011

Public Notice: 03.11.2011

United Confederation of Taino People pauses in its work to recognize the families of those affected by the recent earthquake in Japan, the tsunami in Hawaii, and to endorse the World Day of Solidarity with the Students of the UPR.