2. The Tainos were not fully exterminated, as history has led us to believe. In 1655 when the English expelled the Spaniards, Tainos were still recorded as living in Jamaica. It was noted at this time that rural farmers spoke a dialect that was mixture of Spanish, Taino and African languages. Later archaeologists were to discover English lead among Taino artifacts. Almost 60 years earlier, in 1596, English privateer Sir Anthony Shirley plundered St. Jago de la Vega (later Spanish Town), after being guided there by Taino tribesmen. Further archaeological findings confirmed that Taino extinction was a myth. Although being enslaved and cruelly treated by Europeans, some Tainos survived. Many escaped into the mountains to coexist with the Maroons.
3. Some of the names of places in this book such as Cubanakan-Cuba and names of people: Ana—flower, Tanama—butterfly, Carey—sea turtle, Bieke—small land, Cobo—marine sea shell, Bohio—house, and the statement Han-ha’n catu’- ‘yes let it be this way’, were all borrowed from the Tainos.
4. The blessing that the Behique gave at the joining of Orocobix and Ana was borrowed from the Apache.
5. I used the real names of some notable Arawak chiefs:
Guacanagari was a Cacique and great Taino prophet. He dreamt things before they happened and he had the vision of the Guamikena (white men) coming, long before they arrived on his island.
Caonaba was a Cacique, his name meaning ‘big gold’. He was married to the beautiful, Anacaona, whose name means, ‘the golden flower’, and who became Chieftess and was much loved and supported after he died. He destroyed the Spanish fortress Navidad and went on to fight the Spanish. He was later captured and sent on a slave ship, but he died on his way to Spain.
Yuisa - A chieftess in Puerto Rico; she was captured by Juan Ceron and made to work, along with her village people, in the gold mines in 1509.
Orocobix - Chief of the village of Jatibonicu in Puerto Rico.
Oromico - Also a great chief and cousin to Orocobix. .
6. What’s in a name? For Cristóbal Colón, known to the English-speaking world as Christopher Columbus, it seems as if there is much. His name is still an issue of debate; Colón’s origins and his motivations are shrouded in mystery. This has led to debates and counter debates and seemingly the script on his grave “Non confundar in aeternam –– “I will not be forever confused” is nowhere near coming to pass.
7. In 1494, Colón named the island of Jamaica, Santiago. The Spanish wrote the name used by the native Taino, ‘Yamaye,’ as ‘Xaymaca.’ The Taino word is purported to mean ‘many springs.’ Or, as some historians would have it, the original word was ‘Hamaica’ or ‘Jamahich,’ meaning land of wood and water.
8. Most historians believe that Rio Bueno is the place where Christopher Columbus first landed in Jamaica. Having been chased from St. Ann's Bay by Arawaks in war canoes, he stopped at Discovery Bay, but when his scouts failed to find fresh water he weighed anchor at the next horseshoe-shaped harbor west, where he found a fine river. Hence the name Rio Bueno.
9. Because of its limestone formation, the parish of St. Ann has 59 caves and several sinkholes. It is possible that these caves were also road networks across the island and that the ‘disappearing’ natives might not have been killed so rapidly after all.
10. Colón was often astonished to find lone Indian fishermen sailing in the open ocean as he made his way among the islands. Once, a canoe of Taino men followed him from island to island until one of their relatives, held captive on Colón’s flagship, jumped overboard the ship and was spirited away. That was my inspiration for the chase made by Orocobix.
OTHER BOOKS BY BRENDA BARRETT
Mount Faith Series
Saving Face (Mount Faith Series- Book 1) - Mount Faith University drama begins with a dead president and several suspects including the president in waiting Ryan Bancroft.
Tattered Tiara (Mount Faith Series-Book 2)- Micah Bancroft is targeted by femme fatale Deidra Durkheim. There are also several rape cases to be solved.
Private Dancer (Mount Faith Series- Book 3)- Adrian Bancroft was gutted when he returned to Jamaica and found out that his first and only love Cathy Taylor was a stripper and was literally owned by the menacing drug lord, Nanjo Jones.
The Three Rivers Series
Private Sins (Three Rivers Series-Book 1)- Kelly, the first lady at Three Rivers Church was pregnant for the first elder of her church. Could she keep the secret from her husband and pretend that all was well?
Loving Mr. Wright (Three Rivers Series- Book 2)- Erica saw one last opportunity to ditch her single life when Caleb Wright appeared in her town. He was perfect for her, but what was he hiding?
Unholy Matrimony (Three Rivers Series- Book 3) - Phoebe had a problem, she was poor and unhappy. Her solution to marry a rich man was derailed along the way with her feelings for Charles Black, the poor guy next door.
If It Ain't Broke (Three Rivers Series- Book 4)- Chris Donahue wanted a place in his child's life. Pinky Black just wanted his love. She also wanted him to forget his obsession with Kelly and love her. That shouldn't be so hard? Should it?
Contemporary Romance/Drama
Homely Girl- April and Taj were opposites in so many ways. He was the cute, athletic boy that everybody wanted to be friends with. She was the overweight, shy, and withdrawn girl. Do April and Taj have a love that can last a lifetime? Or will time and separate paths rip them apart?
The Preacher And The Prostitute - Prostitution and the clergy don't mix. Tell that to ex-prostitute, Maribel, who finds herself in love with the Pastor at her church. Can an ex-prostitute and a pastor have a future together?
Love Triangle: Three Sides To The Story- George-the husband, Marie-the wife and Karen-the mistress. They all get to tell their side of the story.
New Beginnings - Inner city girl Geneva was offered an opportunity of a lifetime when she found out that her 'real' father was a very wealthy man. Her decision to live up-town meant that she had to leave Froggie, her ‘ghetto don,’ behind. She also found herself battling with her stepmother and battling her emotions for Justin, a suave up-towner.
Full Circle- After graduating from university, Diana wanted to return to Jamaica to find her siblings. What she didn’t foresee was that she would meet Robert Cassidy and that both their pasts would be intertwined, and that disturbing questions would pop up about their parentage, just when they were getting close.
Historical Fiction/Romance
The Pull Of Freedom- Even in bondage the people, freshly arrived from Africa, considered themselves free. Led by Nanny and Cudjoe the slaves escaped the Simmonds’ plantation and went in different directions to forge their destiny in the new country called Jamaica.
Jamaican Comedy (Material contains Jamaican dialect)
Di Taxi Ride And Other Stories- Di Taxi Ride and Other Stories is a collection of twelve witty and fast paced short stories. Each story tells of a unique slice of Jamaican life.
The Empty Hammock Page 20
