Elder Artist honored in Jayuya

Jayuya, Boriken (UCTP Taino News) – On the occasion of his 50th Anniversary in the arts, Miguel Ángel Guzmán was honored by family, friends, artists, and supporters in a reception held at Galeria Maboiti in Jayuya. The July 2nd event featured selected art-works from Guzman and artist Olga Reyes.

Among the attendees were the honorable Mayor of Jayuya Georgie Gonzalez, representatives of the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, CATTA-COOP, and the Boriken Liaison Office of the United Confederation of Taino People.

In honor of the special occasion, the UCTP Liaison Office presented Guzman with a specially designed Taino “cinturon” commemorative sculpture and a donation to support the arts education workshop he developed with Reyes at their Galeria Saguay in Paso Palmas, Utuado.

On behalf of the UCTP Liaison Office, Eva Tona Lazu expressed her appreciation of Guzman and Reyes' dedication and she looked forward to their continued success.

The special exhibition and reception was hosted by the Office of Mayor Gonzalez who declared Miguel Angel Guzman "an honorary son of Jayuya."

Photo: Miguel Guzman and Eva Tona Lazu in Utuado

UCTPTN 07.15.2009

Taino Observe Dia de la Candelaria in Boriken

Hato Rey, Boriken (UCTP Taino News) - February 2nd is half way between winter and summer solstice and it is observed in a pre-hispanic and Catholic fusion celebration known as Dia de la Candelaria.

Melvin Waracatua Anamu Gonzalez, the director of local Taino community group, Esencia Tabonuco marked the occasion with a roaring fire at Barrio Isreal y San Jose for the 3rd annual Taino celebration of Dia de la Candelaria in Hato Rey. Attended by more than 100 neighbors, this event featured community dance presentations by Taino cultural groups Esencia Tabonuco y El Tribu Roca de Amor Taino headed by Xuerix Guaynia Camacho and Familia Itiba. A special song was gifted to the local community by Taino artist Brandon Cutubanama of Grupo Cibuco.

The UCTP Boriken Liaison Office was represented by Eva Tona Lazu, Chamaco Lazu and Roger Guayakan Hernandez complimented by Movijibo alliance members - Huana Naboli, Ghuatibili, and Yumac Baez. The event also commemorated the birthday of UCTP rep. Roger Guyacan with cake and ice cream served as desert for the local Taino delicacies offered by friends and family.

In an unfortunate turn of events, a social dance around the community fire was shockingly interrupted by a local fire department official who proceeded without respect to extinguish the center of this activity. Caught on video by local Univision television news crew covering this momentous celebration, the fire department representative was offered an on-camera orientation on the prehispanic observance of Dia de la Candelaria and the Taino cultural practice of lighting a large fire from which community members offer their tributes of thanks and practice a purification dance for the upcoming season.

The 11pm newscast was well edited and anchor desk commentary followed recognizing a growing resurgence of Taino cultural identity and ceremonial restoration projects throughout the island of Boriken.

UCTPTN 02.03.2009