The Taino chief Hatuey (ah-Twei) was born in the late 1400s on Gonave Island next to Hispaniola (1).
With little being known of his birthdate or early life, historians speculate he had assumed the status of cacique (chief) among the Taino peoples around the period of Cristoforo Colombo’s expeditions (1492–1502).
The Taino largely inhabited the islands of the Caribbean and were known for many innovations, including the canoe, the hammock, tobacco, and even barbeque (2). Their civilization in Hispaniola peaked by 1494 when Colombo established the first European settlement on the northern coast.