Introduction


Blue water, sand, and Palm Treespalm trees. Would you like to live in a place like this? Well, the Taino Indians lived there first. One Taino Indian was named Loiza. Puerto Rico has a lot of festivals and traditions that people keep doing. Do you want to find out more?




Taino Indians first in Puerto Rico


Hunter gathers and Arawak Indians lived in Puerto Rico before the Spanish Camecame by 1000 ce. 1000 ce is the 10th century in history. The Arawak’s made the Taino culture.


Loiza



Loiza was a Taino Cacique, (which means Chief)chief). She lived near the Cayarabon riverRiver. Today, the river is called Rio Grande de Loiza. Only 2There were only two women chiefs in the Caribbean. She protected her people (tribe) from slavery by marrying, Pedro Mejias (A(a Spaniard). Other chiefs did not like what she did and killed her. Her tribe werewas the only onesone who said she was a hero for helping them.

Festivals and Traditions


Traditional dishes for Puerto Rican people are tostones (fried plantains), rice and beans, a dessert called flan, and my family’s favorite is Sancocho, which is a soup (stew) with different vegetables and beef in it. Festivals still going on are called Fiestas Patronales. African slaves made masks with coconuts and painted them with different bright colors. Puerto Ricans also like to dance Bomba and Plena. It is a traditional folk dance with different drums and the tambourine (plena).



Closing/Conclusion

Learning about where my ancestors came from and all the wonderful traditions they shared and left for me and my family make me proud to be Puerto Rican. Loiza is a small town with lots of history. You should go visit some time.