What happened to the natives of the Caribbean?
The 1518 smallpox epidemic killed 90% of the natives who had not already perished. Warfare and harsh enslavement by the colonists had also caused many deaths. By 1548, the native population had declined to fewer than 500.
What happened to the indigenous population of Jamaica?
Many of the indigenous people were either killed or died of diseases to which they had no immunity, after which the Spanish then brought large numbers of African slaves to Jamaica as labourers….
| Jamaica | |
|---|---|
| Official languages | English |
| National language | Jamaican Patois (de facto) |
What happened to the Tainos in Dominican Republic?
They began to starve; many thousands fell prey to smallpox, measles and other European diseases for which they had no immunity; some committed suicide to avoid subjugation; hundreds fell in fighting with the Spaniards, while untold numbers fled to remote regions beyond colonial control.
What happened to the Tainos in Jamaica?
The original inhabitants of Jamaica are believed to be the Arawaks, also called Tainos. The Arawaks led quiet and peaceful lives until they were destroyed by the Spaniards some years after Christopher Columbus discovered the island in 1494.
Do Arawaks still exist in Jamaica?
The Taínos and Arawak are indigenous tribes of Jamaica and “First People” making them and their history a significant part of Jamaica’s history. The fingerprints of Taínos and Arawak culture, language, food and lifestyle still influence Jamaican today.
Where did most Jamaican slaves come from?
Jamaican enslaved peoples came from West/Central Africa and South-East Africa. Many of their customs survived based on memory and myths.
Who captured the slaves?
It is thought that around 8.5 million enslaved Africans were taken to the Americas. British slave ships set off from Liverpool, Glasgow or Bristol, carrying trade goods and sailed to West Africa. Some of those enslaved were captured directly by the British traders.