Discovery
The word Jibar
o is commonly used in Puerto Rico to refer to mountain peasants. The jibaro has come to represent the Puerto Rican people in all their historic, ethnic and cultural complexity. The image of a jíbaro is used in all forms of Puerto Rican art, including this monument in Cayey.
This week here on the island we are celebrating the discovery of Puerto Rico.
On September 25, 1493, Christopher Columbus set sail on his second voyage to the new world with 17 ships and around 1,200-1,500 men. Columbus landed on this island on November 19, 1493. He named it San Juan Bautista (in honor of the John the baptist). During the 1520s, the island took the name of Puerto Rico which means "rich port". The island was inhabited before it's discovery by the Taino and Arawak Indians. Who were eventually all defeated in battle and subjugated. Badly mistreated by the Spaniards, they died out as a labor force and the role of the Indian was taken over by the African slaves.
The discovery of Puerto Rico is an official island holiday, which was celebrated yesterday (Nov. 19th), all government offices were closed and there was no school. Today almost all the schools are having celebrations in honor of our discovery. These celebrations honor the Jibaro, our food, our history and our culture. Children dress up as Indians, and Jibaros. (I have yet to see anyone dress up as Columbus). There is a pot luck luncheon with everyone bringing food that represents our origins. I watched today as kids proudly wore clothes representing our history, carrying Puerto Rican flags, and carrying food, whose aroma made me hungry for something other than cereal this morning.
I have plenty to say about our commonwealth status and our conflicts in keeping culture alive despite the influence of the United States but I'll save that for another time. For today I am rejoicing in the discovery of my island, my home.
On September 25, 1493, Christopher Columbus set sail on his second voyage to the new world with 17 ships and around 1,200-1,500 men. Columbus landed on this island on November 19, 1493. He named it San Juan Bautista (in honor of the John the baptist). During the 1520s, the island took the name of Puerto Rico which means "rich port". The island was inhabited before it's discovery by the Taino and Arawak Indians. Who were eventually all defeated in battle and subjugated. Badly mistreated by the Spaniards, they died out as a labor force and the role of the Indian was taken over by the African slaves.
The discovery of Puerto Rico is an official island holiday, which was celebrated yesterday (Nov. 19th), all government offices were closed and there was no school. Today almost all the schools are having celebrations in honor of our discovery. These celebrations honor the Jibaro, our food, our history and our culture. Children dress up as Indians, and Jibaros. (I have yet to see anyone dress up as Columbus). There is a pot luck luncheon with everyone bringing food that represents our origins. I watched today as kids proudly wore clothes representing our history, carrying Puerto Rican flags, and carrying food, whose aroma made me hungry for something other than cereal this morning.I have plenty to say about our commonwealth status and our conflicts in keeping culture alive despite the influence of the United States but I'll save that for another time. For today I am rejoicing in the discovery of my island, my home.
