Taíno Celebrate Diversity in the Bronx

Members of the Kasibahagua Taino Cultural Society share Taino culture in the Bronx, NY

Bronx, NY (UCTP Taíno News) – Members of the Taíno community participated in the first annual Cultural Diversity Festival held in Kingsbridge Heights, Bronx, NY on Sept. 6, 2009. The festival was organized by the Kingsbridge Heights Neighborhood Improvement Association. Cultural presentations included programs by members of the Cacibajagua Taíno Cultural Society, Afro Boricua, “La Bruja” Caridad de La Luz, and Cetiliztli Nauhcampa Quetzalcoatl in Ixachitlan, an indigenous Mexica community group and others. The event also featured vendors, games for children, information tables, and a “Little Miss Kingsbridge” pageant.

UCTPTN 09.11.2009

Taino Participate in NY Native Festival

Inwood Hill Park, NY (UCTP Taino News) – Members of the Cacibahagua Taino Cultural Society joined other Indigenous Peoples at the Drums Along the Hudson Festival this past Sunday. The festival was hosted by Sandra Bookman, the Weekend Anchor for WABC-TV News, and featured Native American Performers, the Kahurangi Maori Dance Theater from New Zealand, dancers from India and Peru, and a Pow Wow. After a blessing by local Mohawk Nation representatives, the Cacibahagua Taino Cultural Society had the honor of participating in the opening ceremony of the program presenting the song of the sea turtle. Members of Cacibahagua also exhibited and demonstrated Taino cultural items as well as distributed information related to the United Confederation of Taino People throughout the day at the Storytellers Tent. Drums Along the Hudson is a free event presented by Lotus Music and Dance, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, JP Morgon Chase, and WABC-TV.

Photo: Members of the Cacibahagua Taino Cultural Society at the 2009 Drums Along the Hudson Festival. (Photo credit: M. Sague)

UCTPTN 05.18.2009

Drums Along The Hudson Festival This Weekend

New York (UCTP Taino News) - The Seventh Annual “Drums Along the Hudson: A Native American Festival” will take place on Sunday, May 17th, 2009 in Upper Manhattan’s Inwood Hill Park from 11:00 am until 6:00 pm, rain or shine. The event is FREE to the public and presented by Lotus Music & Dance in collaboration with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, and is sponsored in part by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and WABC-TV. DRUMS ALONG THE HUDSON features Manhattan’s only open air pow wow, which is a celebratory gathering of Native people. This year’s pow wow will be led by Louis Mofsie and the Thunderbird American Indian Dancers and will feature other indigenous and international artists including a special opening ceremony presentation by the Cacibajagua Taino Cultural Society.

A multi cultural family-oriented festival, Drums Along the Hudson includes exhibitions of world dance and drumming traditions as well as Native American crafts and international cuisines. The festival combines a celebration of Native American heritage, culture, and art with the diversity of New York City itself. In keeping with the underlying theme of environmental appreciation and education, DRUMS ALONG THE HUDSON will continue to feature an Environmental Tent which will include demonstrations by organizations and artists dedicated to promoting an eco-friendly lifestyle and an information and Caribbean Indigenous Exhibit table sponsored by the United Confederation of Taino People.

During the day, between the hours of 1pm and 3pm, the festival organizers will honor two individuals and or organizations for their contributions to either Humanitarian Services or the Environment. This year’s honorees are Mohawk Elder & Author Tom Porter and Laura Turner Seydel, Environmentalist & Chairman of the Captain Planet Foundation. Sandra Bookman, weekend anchor for WABC-TV, will host the event. For more information visit the Drums Along the Hudson website at http://www.drumsalongthehudson.org/ .

UCTPTN 05.12.2009

Spring Equinox Ceremonial Gathering in NY

Saturday, March 21 2009, 12:00pm - 6:00pm

Taino Iukaieke Guainia and the Cacibajagua Taino Cultural Society will host a Spring Equinox Ceremonial Gathering at Brook Park in New York. A Prayer Circle and a communal feast will be a part of the agenda for the day which will begin at 12noon - 6pm. Please bring food to share.

This event will coincide with the 8000 Drum Ceremony of the Otomi, Mayan, Aztec and Toltec Nations on the Otomi Ceremonial Grounds in Mexico.

Location: 141 St and Brook Ave., South Bronx NY (Brook Park)

Contact: Roberto (Múkaro Agueibana) Borrero at mukaro@uctp.org.

Puerto Rico 's Indigenous Roots on Native America Calling

Thursday, February 05 2009, 1:00pm - 2:00pm (EST)

Before it was Puerto Rico , it was known to the Taino people as Borinquen - "land of the brave noble lord." Many of today's Puerto Ricans, both those born on the island and in the states, trace their indigenous roots to Taino ancestors. One geneticist discovered 3 out of 5 native Puerto Ricans have remnants of Taino DNA streaming through their blood. As the legacy of the Taino people of the Caribbean is rediscovered, what is turning Puerto Ricans back to their Borinquen roots?

Special Guest Interview: Roberto Mukaro Agueibana Borrero, President and Chairman of the United Confederation of Taino People.

Native America Calling Airs Live:
http://www.nativeamericacalling.com/
Monday - Friday, 1-2pm Eastern

Contact: 1-800-996-2848, that's 1-800-99-NATIVE

The History, Music and Culture of the Indigenous Taíno People

This evening, indigenous activist, historian, artist, musician and storyteller Roberto Borrero, one of only a handful of actual Taino descendants who are considered authorities on the ancient Taino culture, will introduce us to the history, creation stories, spirituality, music and song of the first indigenous people encountered by Columbus in 1492. The program will include stunning slides and a performance of Taino music by Roberto and other members of the Cacibajagua Taino Cultural Society, an organization dedicated to the promotion of Taino culture.

AN EVENING EVENT

Friday, March 20, 7:30pm
The New York Open Center
83 Spring Street (Btw B'way and Lafayette Sts.)
212-219-2527 Ext. 2
www.opencenter.org
Program # 09WSN14P
Members: $18 / Nonmembers: $20

Roberto Mukaro Borrero is an historian, artist, musician, and community leader dedicated to promoting his indigenous Boriken Taino heritage. He has shared aspects of ancient Taino culture on the local, national and international levels and is a respected advocate for the rights of indigenous peoples.