by Andrew Rowen | Jun 7, 2025 | New York City
When Columbus arrived at the Caribbean in 1492, Chief Behecchio ruled Xaraguá, one of “Española’s” five principal chiefdoms. Located in the island’s southwest portion, Xaraguá was then admired for its large population and abundant crops and the civility of its daily...
by Andrew Rowen | May 18, 2025 | New York City
As discussed in the prior post, gold was a key expectation driving Queen Isabella’s conquest of “Española.” That expectation waned and resurged during the period from 1493 to 1502, affecting the desire and willingness of her Spanish ministers, financiers, and subjects...
by Andrew Rowen | Apr 12, 2025 | New York City
A key expectation driving Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand’s conquest of “Española” was that Columbus would find and ship its gold home to them, as he promised repeatedly from 1493 to 1500. In 1499, placer gold was finally discovered in quantity in the watershed of...
by Andrew Rowen | Mar 13, 2025 | New York City
The next sequel will depict the brutal three-month war fought in 1498 in the chiefdom of Ciguayo on “Española’s” northern coast. Chief Guarionex had sought the protection of the Ciguayan Chief Mayobanex, and Mayobanex refused to surrender him when Columbus’s brother...
by Andrew Rowen | Feb 12, 2025 | New York City
For Valentine’s Day, I post about the Taíno spirit of romance, sexual delight, and virility, Corocote, and some counterparts in other cultures. According to Fray Ramón Pané, Corocote sits on top of bohíos and comes down at night to lie with the women sleeping within....
