10 Mayo St
Portland, ME 04101
USA
Taíno Mini-Conference at Mayo Street Arts
From hammocks to hurricanes, from popcorn to popular films,
Taíno Indigenous influence on our language and culture is everywhere.
PORTLAND, Maine– For 500 years, it was widely—and incorrectly—believed that the Taíno peoples indigenous to Borikén (what is now called the US colony of Puerto Rico) and other islands throughout the Caribbean had gone extinct.
Mayo Street Arts (MSA) will present three days of events in Portland celebrating Taíno indigenous culture, language, foodways, music, and dance that explicitly inform the public about the Taíno culture and the histories of its people. The project was proposed and designed by three collaborating partners: local Taíno community leader, Sayalí Robles, from South Portland, ME; founder of Casa Areyto, Priscilla Colón, from Nashua, NH; and directors of Bomba De Aquí, Brendalíz Cepeda and Saul Peñaloza, from Granby, MA. The Taíno Mini-Conference is funded by the Maine Humanities Council.
As described by Priscilla Colón, the project’s goal is to, “raise general awareness of Taíno indigenous culture—not just its existence but how it’s thrived & become part of every other culture in the world.” Priscilla is one of the principal organizers of the first Reencuentro Taíno Conference, taking place this August in Canóvanas, Borikén.
The project begins Friday, May 26 with “From Hammocks to Hurricanes” a free lecture on the origins of the conference, including the revitalization of language and efforts to expand awareness. The morning of Saturday, May 27, families will explore the historical uses of petroglyphs, adorning rocks with their own design at the “Taíno Petroglyphs for Kids Workshop.” Immediately following is the “Taste Tour of the Caribbean” sponsored by Quiero Cafe. Folks will learn and commune together as they enjoy a variety of foods and discuss their origins within Taíno culture.
The mini-conference concludes Saturday, June 24 with a workshop and a performance by Bomba De Aquí—a dance and music company that performs and teaches Afro-Borikua traditions throughout New England. Bomba emerged from the musical traditions brought to the Taíno on Borikén by enslaved Africans in the 17th century and cannot exist without that historical context. Brendalíz, Saul, and their ensemble members will simultaneously teach audience members—in both Spanish and English—about the history of Afro-Borikua music, fostering understanding of the richness of Borikua arts, and encouraging active participation in that heritage.