Taino Revival: Critical Perspectives on Puerto Rican Identity and Cultural Politics

A thought-provoking exploration of the Taíno revival and its role in shaping Puerto Rican identity.

This compelling collection examines the Taíno revival movement, a grassroots effort led by Puerto Ricans and other Latinos who embrace and promote the heritage, culture, and ancestry of the pre-Columbian Taíno peoples of Puerto Rico and the wider Caribbean.

Through a multidisciplinary lens, the book traces how the Taíno became a powerful symbol of Puerto Rican identity during the late nineteenth century, when political leaders and intellectuals incorporated Taíno heritage into the vision of a unified national identity. It also explores how members of the Puerto Rican diaspora helped revive and redefine this legacy in the twentieth century.

The essays delve into the ongoing debates surrounding the movement, examining questions of race, identity, nationalism, and cultural representation. Contributors discuss the role of state institutions in preserving and promoting Taíno heritage, the historical marginalization of Afro-Caribbean identities, and the evolution of the movement from an anti-colonial cause to a broader cultural phenomenon.

Balancing historical analysis with contemporary perspectives, this volume offers a nuanced examination of the enduring significance of Taíno heritage and its continuing influence on Puerto Rican identity in the twenty-first century. An essential read for anyone interested in Caribbean history, Indigenous studies, cultural identity, and Latin American history.