In the Caribbean Sea, there are hundreds of small islands. They are known as Bahamas, Greater Antilles and the Lesser Antilles. On these islands, the community called Arawaks or Arawakian Lucayans lived. The violent tribe called Caribs drove away the Arawaks from the Lesser Antilles. Arawaks were peace-loving people. They preferred co-operation to competition. They were experts in making boats. They traveled in the open sea in small wooden boats. They lived by hunting, fishing, and farming. They cultivated com, sweet potatoes, some other root crops, and tapioca.
The Arawaks practised joint farming. Thus they tried to feed everyone in the community. This was their highest cultural value. They organized themselves under the elders in the community. Polygamy was common among them. They were animists. Animism (from Latin anima, “breath, spirit, life”) is the view that entities in nature such as animals, plants, and often even inanimate objects possess a spiritual essence. The ‘shaman’ (the priest) had a big role in their lives. The shamans worked as healers and as intermediaries between this world and the supernatural world.
Arawaks used golden ornaments. But they were not aware of the value of gold. They would gladly exchange their golden ornaments with the cheap crystal chains of the Europeans. The shine and beauty of the crystal chain was more important to them. They were good weavers. The art of weaving had developed nicely among them. Their swing beds made of coir was a big attraction to the Europeans.
