Comparison of Social Organization MAYA The head was called halach uninich. This position was hereditary. The houses of the ordinary Maya were small and simple while the houses of the nobles were built of sculptured stones. Ordinary people lived on the outskirts of the temple and only went in to worship and buy their food. The men had only one wife but had other concubines. MAYA TAINO KALINAGO The chief was called a cacique. This The chief was called an ouboutou. position was hereditary. This position was attained by the head of the largest family. Physical strength was important. Tainos built houses around the Kalinagos lived in villages near a community square and living river or creek. space. Their huts were oval-shaped. The chiefs lived in large rectangular buildings, while the They did not have a community common people lived in small square but had a communal circular huts. fireplace. They practiced polygamy. Comparison of religions TAINO They practiced polygamy KALINAGO Their religion was polytheistic, which means they worshipped many gods and spirits. Their religion was polytheistic, which means they worshipped many gods and spirits. Their religion was polytheistic, which means they worshipped many gods and spirits. Religion was based on nature. They worshipped gods who represented the moon, sun, rain and corn. They believed in animism. (This is the belief that nature has spirits, such as a tree god, a rain god and a sun god.) They worshipped zemis. The main purpose of worship was to ensure good crops. They worshipped zemis. They offered blood sacrifices and they believed that torture and human sacrifices brought fertility. They offered material goods such as food and water. They offered material goods such as food and water. King was also the priests. Chief was also the chief priest. He believed blood was the means of communication between human beings and the gods. He practiced self-torture and bleeding themselves to communicate to the gods. He would smoke tobacco and inhale other herbal drugs to receive messages from the spirits. They had priests or medicine men. Comparison of Economic Organization MAYA TAINO KALINAGO The economy was based on agriculture but not conuco cultivation. Maize was the main crop. Conuco cultivation was used. Conuco cultivation was used. Cassava was the main crop. Cassava was the main crop. The mayan relied more on agriculture than the Tainos of kalinagos The Tainos hunted, gathered and fished. The Kalinagos mostly hunted and fished. Conuco cultivation- a form of agriculture based on mounds of earth which reduced erosion, improved drainage and optimized land use. Animism - This is the belief that nature has spirits, such as a tree god, a rain god and a sun god. Hieroglyphs – a picture-based form of writing.
