by Andrew Rowen | | Dominican Republic, Haiti, Sea of Darkness, Spain
In October 1492, the Taíno peoples of the Caribbean lived mostly in territory within modern Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, eastern Cuba, and Jamaica, and, to the north, the smaller islands of the Bahamas and the Turks & Caicos. Haiti was one of the...
by Andrew Rowen | | Dominican Republic, Haiti, Sea of Darkness, Spain
While the horizons remained landless, the crews of the Niña, Pinta, and Santa María were soothed that many birds were flying about—signaling land was nearby. Peace then reigned on the Taíno Haiti (i.e., modern Haiti and the Dominican Republic), with five caciques...
by Andrew Rowen | | Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti
The Guanahanían captives understood that Cuba was an island and told Columbus so. But, since early November, Columbus had believed Cuba was part of the Indies’ mainland. On December 5, the Santa María and Niña passed Cuba’s eastern tip, modern Punta de Maisí, sailing...
by Andrew Rowen | | Haiti
On December 7, the Santa María and Niña began sailing east along the Taíno Haiti’s northern coast. In his Journal, Columbus compared Haiti’s farmlands, mountains, valleys, weather, fish, plants, and birds to those of Castile. Columbus concluded Haiti was suited to...
by Andrew Rowen | | Haiti
As Columbus continued along Haiti’s northern coast, local Taínos fled from encounters, precluding his trading for gold or locating its source. Frustrated, Columbus ordered sailors ashore to capture an inhabitant to whom he could confer courtesies and gifts to...
by Andrew Rowen | | Dominican Republic, Haiti
Martín Alonso Pinzón and the Pinta sailed for Baneque (Great Iguana Island) after deserting the expedition in November (see November 21). There’s no preserved ship’s log recounting the route or what transpired, but the Pinta reached the Taíno Haiti’s northern coast...
