This is my first post in a while. I recently became interested in learning more about the history and cultures of the Caribbean, and now more than ever, after the release of Bad Bunny's album 'DtMF', I think it's the perfect time to dive into the history of the island of Puerto Rico. I've always been fascinated by the country's rich culture and African and Indigenous background, which is close to other Caribbean countries (including my country, Colombia).

For those who may have checked the album out, the different songs that are part of it, are accompanied by visualizers with historical facts about the island. These were prepared and put together by the author Jorell Meléndez-Badillo, a US native, of Puerto Rican descendency, who lived most of his childhood in Puerto Rico. As a work of extensive research and live experiences from those close to him, he wrote "Puerto Rico: A National History", a well-written, easy-to-read, detailed summary of Puerto Rico's history.

The prologue of the book reflects the personal aspect of the book, an introduction to the situation of many Puerto Ricans who left their country for the US in search of better living conditions. Ironically, the title for this prologue is «Nunca regresaré aquí» (I Am Never Coming Back Here), where the author quotes his step-grandfather, who after unsuccessfully finding a good-paying job in the States returns to Puerto Rico. What made these people who migrated return to their home country was the conditions in which they found themselves: Crowded apartments, low-paying jobs, racism, and a balls-freezing weather (in cities like New York).

Before the Spaniards set foot on the island, different ingenious settlements were established in territorial administrations called Cacicazgos. Each of these divisions had its leader or Cacique (also Chief) who besides representing the principal political authority had an important role in religious and social matters. A figure that stands out throughout the book is Agüeybaná, who was the most powerful and important Cacique when the Spanish first arrived and tried to build peaceful relationships with them, after an agreement with the conquistador Juan Ponce de León. This was suggested by his mother, who was aware of the atrocities and "pacify" methods the Spaniards used in the neighboring island La Hispaniola (modern Haiti and the Dominican Republic).

While there is not a lot of documentation about the way the Indigenous people conceptualized the world (as it was primarily transmitted orally through generations), the author mentions that in some of their myths, they explain how the ocean was created and how a woodpecker was used to design the female genitalia, for the creation of women. These reflect the deep ties to nature that existed (and still exist).

The Indigenous people in the Greater Antilles were called Taínos, while the Indies from the Lesser Antilles were named Caribs (portrayed by the conquistadores as Canibbals and violent people)—the last with the purpose of justifying the slavery and punishment of the indigenous population. Europeans established a system of forced labor known as Repartimientos (divisions), later known as Encomiendas. The Indies were part of these gratings, worked as servants for their masters, or were slaves.

Despite the submission, the Taínos were characterized for fighting back. They proved that the Spaniards were mortal and sought to kick out the unwelcome outsiders who set foot in their land. In the book, it is told that after being assigned the task of transporting a Spanish conquistador through the river, they drowned his body, imposing resistance to the Europeans' dictations.

It is known that the Spaniards brought an inevitable death to the Indigenous population of Borikén (how the island was named by the Taínos), in some great part due to the germs they exposed them to, but also by committing infanticide, rape of women, and other unspeakable torture methods. This can only driven by human greed and entitlement, which will then reach another group of people: millions of Africans kidnapped from their continent and forced into centuries of suffering and injustices.

Key vocabulary:

• Cacicazgos (chiefdoms)
• Caciques (chiefs)
• Bohíos (huts)
• Repartimientos (divisions), later Encomiendas

🕮 Puerto Rico: A National History. Author: Jorell Meléndez-Badillo