A singular romantic fable, the disease of the woman is stated to be the syphilis! Guabo-n'ito means fruit or Guava pear of man! The allegory implies another colony following Guaga, not by swimming; but with paddles or on rafts; probably a part of the lesser tribe of Amaiuna or Amazons, so often called women in antiquity; although a powerful African people. All the women left in the islands might be of such a tribe, and since become the Mayas of Yucatan, Hayti &c., with the Manas or Manoas, the Amazons of South America.
32d Event. Anacacugia (flower of Cacao) brother of this wife or ally of Guaga, runs away from him on the back of a manati or seal, and goes back to the women of Matinino.
This implies a separation of tribes, one returning to the islands, where they probably [pg 185] formed the Cairi nation. The seal used for boats, is a third fable, found in Greece; boats are thus compared to birds, opossums and seals. Many American languages animate boats and ships. This seal must mean a Manati, or sea cow; real seals not being found in the Antilles. If the name was Manati, it has affinities with the Ama-yuna or Ama-Zons tribe. Ma-ti-ni-no is in Haytian great-mount-the-good, while Mana-ti is moving mountain. Has not Anacacu a reference to the Anakim of Asia, the Cacus of Europe, and the Tam-anacu of South America?
33d Event. Hi-Auna father of Guago-giona comes with his son to the land of Guanin, and being the grandfather of all the tribes, they receive the names of Hi-auna; which is afterwards changed to children of Guanin. Hin Gua-ili Gua-nin (the-plural such-children such-Nin), and lastly the whole united nation is called Guanini.
The Aones came then also to America, and there was a confederacy of the tribes. Gua-gu, Gua-go and Gua-ga, may be 3 spellings of a same name; but they might also be three successive and distinct tribes of Giona. Gua-bonito in one instance is made another lord or tribe, instead of a wife of Guago.
34th Event. Albebora and his son Al-bebora-El, were also Guanini lords or Cazics, who came with the Giona tribe. [pg 186] This indicates again another nation. The name is remarkable, because it resembles Albion and Bora, two primitive nations of the north, which settled England and the boreal regions, becoming the Hyper-Boreans of later times. Perhaps these Boras are identic with the Aboras and Aboris of ancient Italy, the mountaineers since called Abori-genes by the Greeks.
35th Event. Another Guaga-giona II. or Guaba-giona is mentioned afterwards, whose son became the Guanini tribe.
Guaba means both the father and the Guava pear. The succession of these Gionas is very obscure; but many are probably omitted, and the whole poetical records allude to the most famous of the dynasty or nation. Guanini implies the Golden tribe.
36th Event. The settlement of the Guaninis in Hayti was from Matinino and the east; being exiled from Matinino, they are led by Camo who begins the kingdom of Cabonao in Hayti; they settle on the river Bahaboni, where they built their houses, and afterwards the great temple of Camotzia. They gave to the island the name of Quisqueia or great universe; but afterwards Hayti, meaning land rough or hilly. (Dangleria.)
This important event is best given with those details by Dangleria: while Roman appears to mix it with the settlement of Guanin. Yet Quisqueia was more probably [pg 187] the first name given to South America, rather than to Hayti: another name for which was Bohio or habitations. Camo or Guamo means lord or master, Tzia is temple. The exile of the Guaninis from the islands, must allude to another revolution and perhaps invasion. This Camo, was probably the same as the Cami or Coma of Cuba in later time, Comayagua of Honduras; which assimilate the first civilized Haytians with the tribes of Central America. It might have happened that these Camos were Mayas and the ancestors of the Mayo-riexes. The history of the Mayas of Otolum, and Central America, will be connected with these annals hereafter; but much is left for conjecture.
37th Event. Other exiles of Matinino settle at the island Cabini now Turtle island; and near it on the north shore of Hayti, from whence they spread through the island, which is called Bouhi or Bohio, meaning full of towns.
Dangleria mentions this likewise. House and town or habitation, are synonymous in Haytian.
38th Event. They found some Caracoles or Taracolas, crabs! or beastly men, dwelling in the island. The Guaninis wanting women, took some Caracols beasts for wives, and made them suitable women, by washing them, and giving them to eat the fruit Inriri Cahuvial. This was done by a Vagoniana II. [pg 188] These Caracols had then survived the flood or come before the Guaninis, the name of the fruit that made them women, if explained, might elucidate this event; but the signification was not given; another version will suggest other important analogies.75
39th Event. These Caracols deprived of their women, took other female beasts for wives (another tribe) and from this union most of the Haytians descended, becoming Anaborias or vassals of the Guaninis.
Anaboria means flower or lizard of labor! these might be descended from Albebora. This name for bondsmen, boors or laborers, was widely spread in America, and has affinities all over the world, even with the Latin labor.76
40th Event. These first inhabitants of Hayti, fed on dates, bananas, cocos, fruits, nuts, herbs, yams, roots, onions, mushrooms: until taught the use of Cazabi or bread by Boition, with maize, cotton, mandioc &c.
Another fact of Dangleria, very natural indicating the tropical food of old times.
41st Event. Michetauri Guauana, was the leader of the first colony to Coaibai (death house) in the land of Soraia (setting sun), and became the king of it. There the people are called Goeiz (phantoms or ghosts) and go about by night; but are not dead people whose name is Opia.
Coaibai is either Cuba or Coyba in Darien, or both. It became the paradise of [pg 189] the Haytians, placed in Cuba or further west, and a place of delight. The names and allusions are remarkable. They assimilate to those of the Greeks &c. about the fortunate islands of the west: those of the Orientals and Hebrews about the island Elisha, and the Sheol or place of souls, the Hebrew Plutonic region. Soraya for setting sun, is identic with Surya of the Hindus: whence came Syria the west, and even our word sorrow; while Sol comes from Sheol. Azil sun in Pelasgian, is akin to Elisha whence our word Azylum! Goeiz is akin to ghost, Ghaib in Syrian, Coyocop of the Nachez, Goz of the Vilelas. Opi has affinities every where. Michetauri is perhaps a synonym of Machi-tuyra great devil, Guauana is such-Auna. Perhaps this fable alludes to an anterior event and the passage to America of a former Hi-Auna.77
42d Event. Aumatex a great Cazic marries the female Zemi Guabanzex, goddess of waters and wind, and she has two sons Guatauva and Pregonero, who become male Zemis.
It is impossible to say if this event belongs to this time or to the cosmogony. I presume it is historical, alluding to new tribes, and perhaps foreign to Hayti. The names are difficult to explain, nor is it stated what these sons performed; but being sons of water and wind, they must have led colonies by sea elsewhere. They [pg 190] are perhaps the ancestors of the Guataios and the Puruays?78
43d Event. Corocoro the quadruped Zemi of the Caracols? was the ancestor of two lines of kings, Guamorete and Guatabanex, who rule in Hayti. His temple was in Sacaba, and his high-priest was called Cavava-Niovava. Cave father and our father.
This alludes to different tribes than the Guaninis: Coro was a tribe in Cumana. Perhaps this is another version of the 10th Event, or a proper indication of the subsequent institutions of the Caracol nation, when more civilized, and become the Mayorex.
44th Event. Arrival in Hayti, Cuba &c. of the first Bohito (old man), a priest and legislator, called Boition by Dangleria, meaning both Priest-solar and Old Ion: he introduces agriculture and the use of bread, divides the nation into 3 castes, Tainos, or nobles, Bohitos or priests, Anaborias or vassals, and these last into tillers, hunters and fishermen. He becomes pontif, settles the religion; establishing mysteries and oracles, the worship of Zemis, and many other institutions, holydays, festivals, religious dances, schools &c., declaring the land common to all, like the sun and water.
There are at least 3 Bohitos, that came to Hayti and Cuba, and civilized the people; but it is difficult to distinguish the deeds of each. They were probably priests [pg 191] leading more civilized colonies from the east or from America. Their name which is variously spelt or varies in dialects was also Buhuti, Boitio, Bauti, Buhui, Boyeto &c., is akin to the Boyez, Poyes, Piazes, Payes of South America, used by the Aruacs, Guaranis and Carib tribes, Piaches of Tamanacs, Bauti of Dabaiba, Papas of Central America, Bochica of Muyzcas; but the names of priests all over ancient eastern nations, have still more analogies79—and therefore they came from the east. The civilization and religion introduced or improved by them is also oriental; it was more advanced than we are aware; since they had ample fields and orchards, roads and canals, schools in which they taught history, religion, medicine and useful arts. Of their astronomy nothing has been preserved, nor of their hieroglyphs.
45th Event. Bohito II. or Buhui-tihu (old eminent) comes and improves still further the rites &c., becoming high-priest. He introduces medicines, charms, the use of cotton and cloth, burning of bodies instead of mummies as formerly, the holy herbs Gueyo and Zochen &c.
This is all what can be collected on this second law-giver, and he is even blended with the next, except by name.
46th Event. Bohito III. or Baio-habao (sea-lyre) comes next, introducing music, sacred instruments called after him, and [pg 192] probably the rites of the triple named god of the Hindu and Mayan trimurti: Bugia, Aiba and Bradama: who became the Zemi of war, or perhaps led to a war.
This god with three names is evidently Vishnu, Shiba and Brama of India: found in Yucatan as Izona, Echuah and Bacab. See my dissertation in Atlantic Journal, on similar names of triple God all over America and the east. It does not follow that this worship came direct from India; but it might come through the Pelagians, who had it as Bram, Amen and Vix, inverted among the Ausonians, Oscans. The same about a god creator preserver and destroyer was prevalent in Asia, Iran, Thibet, Syria, Egypt, Greece, Etruria, and even the Canary islands. The Mayoriex came probably with Bohito III.
47th Event. Happy state of this civilized people, hardly knowing war, passing the time in festivals, dancing, singing and making love: whence called the Fortunate islands, by the navigators that happened to go so far. They dwelt in wooden houses and had towns of 1000 houses.—Herrera.
This period is indicated by twenty authentic sources of ancient history, and the ancient traditions of Europe about the happy land of the west, Elisha or Elysium, Hesperides, Cocana of the Spaniards &c.: besides the happy state in which Hayti was found.—See the account of the ancient notions and communications with America, [pg 193] and the great Atlantis: the most explicit is found in Diodorus Siculus, as follows.
48th Event. The Phenicians driven by a storm, while going from Gades to Africa, discover the large island Atlantis, many days in the ocean west of Lybia. It was very fruitful, with mountains, large plains and navigable rivers; with many woods and fruits, fine valleys, plenty of wild beasts and fish. The air is mild and healthful; it is a residence fit for gods: the inhabitants are a strong and healthful people; they have many towns, with stately buildings, houses of pleasures, gardens, orchards &c.—Diod. Book V.
The translators of Diodorus have blundered so far as to deem this island Madeira or the Canaries; which are small islands, without streams, and the first without inhabitants. It can only apply to Hayti, or even the continent of South America.
49th Event. A black people came to Hayti from the south or south-east, who had darts of Guanin metal, and were called the Black Guaninis.
This tradition preserved by Herrera, Garcia and Charlevoix, indicates a colony of Negroes or men painting black, from South America. They might be the black Negroes of Quarequa mentioned by Dangleria, or some other American Negro nation, of which there are many.—See my account of ancient Black Nations of America. Dangleria mentions two wild tribes [pg 194] of savages in Hayti towards 1500, one speechless! (which means they spoke a different language) probably a remain of the Caracols, another swift dwelling in caves, quite apart, seen in 1514 in Zauana of Guacarima.
50th Event. Navigations of the Haytians and Cubans, settlements of the Lucayas islands, Jamaica, and probably some parts of Florida: mutual trade with Cuba and the continent.
These colonial and trading voyages must have begun long before and have been continual. Columbus met individuals in Cuba who had visited Hayti, Jamaica and Yamaya, the Maya land or Yucatan. Yucayas or Lucayans knew Cuba, Hayti and Florida, which was called Cautio says Fulgar, quoted by Cardenas, who deems the Antilles peopled from hence, blending it with Cauta the original seat of the Haytians. South America was once called Guanin, afterwards Caribana when it was overspread by the Carib tribes. The Nachez appear to have come from Cuba. The Cumanas knew Hayti and called it Atsi.
51st Event. The Canibas (whence our Canibals) or the Caribas, (whence our Caraibes), a savage people, often feeding on human flesh, begin to spread to Guyana and South America; becoming bold navigators also, they send war parties and colonies to the peaceful islands of the Antilles, and even to Florida.
[pg 195]The Caribas evidently descended from the Galibis, and other akin nations of South America, did not originate in North America, as supposed by Bridgstock and a few others. Laborde who spent 20 years with them, and knew well their language, has published some of their traditions in 1704. Lon-quo was their original god, who made Racumon their chief or leader to America, who leads there the tribes of snakes, men, Cabatos-trees and birds. The true name of the nation was Cali, those of the main were Cali-nago or Calibis, of the islands Cali-ponam. Rochefort &c.—See my Carib Traditions.
52d Event. The Calibis of Guyana after long wars with Alouague the kings of the Aruacas, send the general Timani to conquer the Aruacas Islanders, Cahiris, Eyeris &c. who leads the tribe of Labouyous (vassals) and conquer several islands, killing the men and keeping the women.—Rochefort &c.
The period of this invasion is unknown; those who bring the Caribs from North America, make it much later of course; but it is likely to be an old event: although several invasions are probably meant and blended. The Timanis and Labouyous must have effected this. They adopted many customs and partly the religion of the conquered women. The following tradition belongs probably to the conquered Eyeris.
[pg 196]53d Event. Once when living wretched and on the spontaneous fruits of the earth, Oubek-Eyeri (heaven man) a holy man drest all in white cotton, comes from heaven (Oubek above). He first appears to a desolate old man Boyez, and teach him to build houses, to cultivate mandioc and make bread of it &c.
This must have been a priest or bohito of Hayti, who tried to civilize the Caribs: unless it refers to anterior traditions. He taught religion also, that good men would go after death to the happy islands of the west, and become Chemin or Icheiri Zemis; while bad men should become Oumekoua wanderers at sea, and Mabouyas devils.
54th Event. The Caribas in search of these fortunate islands go to Hayti and Cuba; but are repulsed, and settle in Florida, where they extended inland, becoming the tribes of Cofachi, Matica and Amana. They dwell there a long while often at war with the Apalachis, who conquer them and incorporate at last.
See Brigstock for this fact, and the wars with the Apalachis; the details belong to the history of North America and the nations of Florida.
55th Event. Some expelled Caribs hearing by traders of Zigateo, steal some canos and run away to this island, one of the Lucayas; well received; but sent to Ayay (Santa Cruz) desert island, where they [pg 197] settle and increase. This happened towards 1150 of our era.
This positive fact begins the certain chronology of the Antilles; but Brigstock is quite wrong in deeming these fugitives, the ancestors of all the Carib and Galibis tribes as far as Brazil.
56th Event. Civil wars in Hayti, attempt of some kings to become independent from the Bohitos government. The Cazic Guamaretus despise his god or Zemi Corochotum, for which he is overcome in battle and his palace burnt. Dangleria.
This indicates probably a revolution, and attempt to overthrow the ancient religion, perhaps before 1150.
57th Event. Cazi-baquel restores peace, and the worship of the great God Jocavaghama, with the Zemi Tarugavael found in the woods. Meantime the god Jocava prophecies by an oracle that the Maguacochios (great people clothed) would come, with fire and thunder to destroy or enslave the rebellious Haytians. This was understood to apply to the Caribs, and Spaniards afterwards.80
58th Event. This great king Baquel, begins a dynasty, and has many successors Gamanacoel, Guarionel, Guayaronel, Guavanenechin, Guavavo-conel, Caramarex, Guaramatex &c., who are the chief kings of Hayti. Guarionex was his successor when the Spaniards came.
The ancestors of Guarionex had been [pg 198] kings or cazics from time immemorial in the great kingdom and valley of Maguana, 180 miles long and 30 broad, running from east to west; having from east to west the provinces Canobocoa, Hubabo, Cayaba, Maricoa, Bainoa. The river Bahuan runs through it, which is probably the same as Bahaboni, where settled the Guaninis. They appear to have been at the head of the feodal system of Cazics and Tainos established in Hayti. All the other kings bearing them allegiance: and their dialect was the court language.
59th Event. The island becomes divided into 5 principal kingdoms, with many provinces each having a Cazic. They were 1. Caizimu in the east with 11 provinces, Higuey was the first of them, 2. Bainoa in the centre, the largest of all, belonging to the Baquel dynasty, with 24 provinces, Maguana being the first of them, 3. Guacarima, the west end, with 12 provinces, Xaragua being the main, 4. Hubaba, a small kingdom with 3 provinces in the south mountains, 5. Cotoy or Cayabo in the mountains of the north, held by the Mayoriex people, with 7 provinces, and the mountains Zibao.
Dangleria gives the names of all these provinces, but he has omitted the kingdom of Marien in the north-west, he makes it only a province of Bainoa. Laet, Charlevoix and Munoz have given maps of old Hayti, with the situations of many, the [pg 199] rivers, towns, islands, mountains, lakes &c.; see my Ancient Geography of the Antilles.
60th Event. Meantime Cuba was also divided into 7 kingdoms, 1. Mayzi or Maiti opposite Hayti, 2. Bayamo west of it, 3. Cueyba in the centre, whence the name of Cuba, probably the head kingdom, 4. Camayegua or Camaguey inhabited by a different people, famous tribe, probably Comayaguas of Honduras, or Olmecas, 5. Xagua near the middle, 6. Macaca in the south opposite Jamaica, 7. Haniguanica at the west end where are the high mountains Uhima.
61st Event. The island of Jamaica was divided in two kingdoms. Boriquen also Buchena or Burichina (D) now Porto-Rico, formed one, but had 26 Cazics in as many valleys, the high mountains of Guayamo being desert. The Yucayas (white islands) now Bahama, were numberless, the largest being Amana, Zigateo, Bahama, Bimini, Sumana, Yuma, Guanahani, Saomoto, Abaco &c. The Cazics were much respected there, being also Bohitos or Behiques (priests) judges and stewards. Labor was in common and the daily food given from the public stores. Some islands were at war; but only used sticks in their quarrels. Yet all the islands formed a single kingdom, the great Cazic resided at Saomoto.
62d Event. The Caribas of Ayay having multiplied, spread again over the eastern islands: they are repulsed in Boriquen; [pg 200] but meeting their ancient tribes in Curucueria now Guadeloupe: it becomes their chief island: whence they send war parties to 1000 miles off, even to the continent; and occupy Galana now Marigalante, Matinino or Madinino now Martinique, Liamaca now Antigua, Liamuiga St. Christopher, Bayaraco St. Vincent, Bequia Grenada &c. called collectively Caliaqua the islands of the Calibis.
63d Event. They molest the shores of Boriquen, where they are always repulsed, but often steal men and children to eat them.
64th Event. They assail the shores of Hayti, where they are much feared; signals by smoke are made when they appear. In Higuey and Caizimu, eastern regions of the island, the Haytians become warlike to defend themselves, and use poisoned arrows as they did. Elsewhere the Haytians used only darts, lances and macanas, peculiar wooden swords.
65th Event. The Caribs went as far as the shores of Cuba, and desolated the south shores: the Cubans removing their towns inland. They were called Canibas and Canimas: and succeed in forming a settlement at Baracoa to the south-east.
66th Event. They were repulsed in their attempt against the warlike Jamaicans who used arrows; they do not appear to have molested the Yucayans, owing to their former alliance and gift of the island Ayay.
[pg 201]These events are chiefly collected from Columbus' own account, and personal narratives of his travels, with other retrospective hints by the Spanish writers. They will also afford the notices of the subsequent events.
67th Event. The population of all the Tainos in the Antilles was at least two millions; 1,200,000 in Hayti; 600,000 in Cuba; 100,000 in Boriquen; 60,000 in Jamaica; 40,000 in the Yucayas; besides the unknown Carib population.
This is the least calculation, at the Spanish arrival: others have swelled it to 6 millions, including all the West Indies. Las-Casas states that the Lucayas had 500,000, Jamaica and Boriquen 600,000.
68th Event. The domestic animals of these islands, were among beasts, Alco dogs, gochi-dogs, agutis, cavias, pecari hogs and manatis: turtles and guanas among reptiles: parrots, doves, partridges, fowls, ducks and red cranes among birds: remoras among fishes; and even cucuyos or fire flies used for lamps among insects.
Such were found either in one or all the islands; which were not therefore destitute of domestic animals, as commonly believed. Columbus found tame fowls at Cuba in 1492; which were probably the Powis fowls.
69th Event. Beroica was king of Jamaica (about the year 1420) he began a dynasty; his two successors were Bemberoica [pg 202] and Abem-beroica, meaning Beroica II., Beroica III.
Garcia states this fact; but in 1503 Columbus found Ameyro Cazic of the east, and Huarco of the west of Jamaica.
70th Event. The island Puta or Cahiri now Trinidad at the furthest east end of the Antilles was still inhabited by several Aruac tribes, Cahiris, Yaoy &c. which resisted the inroads of their constant foes the Galibis and Caribas.
71st Event. Between 1450 and 1480 Guaramatex was the greatest king and Cazic of Hayti, in Bainoa and Maguana.
72d Event. Cayacoa was king of Caizimu and Higuey in the east from about 1460 to 1494 when he died.
73d Event. About 1470 some Caribs settle in Samana, the east peninsula of Hayti; and two valiant brothers Caonabo and Manicatex, form themselves a small kingdom inland near to the Mayoriex nation, Mayo-banex their king admits them as allies. Caonabo conquers 3 provinces, Dahabon, Zibaho and Manababo. He was so much esteemed for his valor, that Anacoana the Venus of Hayti, sister of the king of Xaragua, becomes his wife soon after.81
74th Event. About 1475, Behechio is king of Guacarima in the west, till 1500. His capital was Xaragua. He became a conqueror of several provinces, as far as Neyba and Ozama rivers. He had 32 vassal [pg 203] Cazics, and 30 wives, his favorite queen was Guanahata.
Dangleria calls him Beuchicus Anaca-choa, and says that as usual with great kings, he received many titles, being called Shining Copper, Bright Highness, and Rich Flood. These titles were really