Tattoos

Higuamota danced in the forest, oblivious to the flittering shadows. Her hair was white and shining, like the reflection off a sea. Her skin was as diverse as the shadows around her, tattooed in rivers, forests, tracks, her life. She was black with it, hardly any of her original red clay skin showing through. She was dancing the song of her death, dancing until she falls in exhaustion. But before that she must tell a story, a story of life and death, a story of heroes. A story of her people. It is all told on the tattoos on her body. I know, it's in another language and you can't read it. But I can and I will tell you the story. Now, to start look at her shoulder. Yes, that one, the left one. It is a picture of a young boy.1

His name is Guarocuya, but he doesn't know it. He calls himself Enriqullo. His hair is black and his skin the same red clay colour as Higuamota. He is not wearing animal skins like her though, instead wearing trousers and a shirt, European style. He has only one tattoo, which you cannot see. He looks out of place in the monastery, with it's closed stone walls. He should be free, in a forest, like Higuamota. But he is happy here.2

Enriquillo finds the monks kind and believes in Christianity. He also knows he is lucky. He remembers when his father was still alive and he remembers the evil white people. The ones who broke their word, who killed his father cowardly. The ones who now command all of the Taino's, his people, land and turn the people into slaves. The encomienda system, giving the Spaniards total control over the land and the people who lived there. Enriquillo is lucky no one knows he is here, otherwise they might assasinate him like his father, or take them into slavery. That is the beginning of Enriquillo's life and now we must continue reading the tattoos. So go down Higuamota's arm from her shoulder and there is a ribbon and a woman.3

The ribbon symbolizes marriage, the tying of the ribbon. The woman is Mencia. She is beautiful and young, like her mother Anacaona. Anacaona is one of the most powerful cacique, or chief, in the country. She controlled eighty caciques in the region of Jaragua and is the most beautiful Taina woman. Mencia is happily married to Enriquillo and they love each other. They moved to a new village. The land and people were under the control of one called Andres de Valenzuela.4

He was a young, arrogant man, using the encomienda system for his own ends. The women of the village tried to stay away from him whenever they could. But sometimes they couldn't and a weeping, violated woman come trudging back to the village. Mencia was a beautiful woman and knew he would try to get her soon. Now you need to travel down to Higuamota's wrist and see what is there. It is a stick.5

Mencia was not allowed to carry a weapon around, nor were any of the Tainos. But she carried a stick around in her pocket. And Andres came to her one day, while she was grinding yuacca. He grabbed her, pushed her against a wall, felt her, kissed her. Mencia screamed and hit him with the stick. It was quite a hard hit, as Mencia was strong, and surprised Andres enough so he let go of her. She ran, Andres's taunting remarks following her. 6

Enriquillo found her at home, crying. Enriquillo ran up to her, begged what was wrong. They had been through many hard times, but Mencia had never cried. She looked up at him, eyes hollow, and shook her head. She did not want to tell him what had happened, so shameful. But Enriquillo got it out of her and when he did, his eyes turned dark. He was angry. Now, the next tattoo is on Higuamota's hand. It is of a whip.7

When Enriquillo found out what had happened, he went to Andres, reproached him, begged him to leave his wife alone. If it had been in a different situation, if Enriquillo was a Spaniard, it would of turned out different, stopped then. But Andres de Valenzuela, arrogant as he was, thought Enriquillo's complaint damaging to his authority. So he had Enriqullo whipped, many times, in front of the rest of the Tainos, his people. He never cried out once. And he planned.8

The next tattoo is one of a book. Enriquillo, stinging at the unjust treatment that he received, went to the governor of the village, don Pedro Badillo. He denouned Andres to him, but the governor refused to be part of the case. Not a Taino against a Spaniard. Enriquillo was disgusted with him and then went on to the highest authority on the island. He was refused oncem ore, told to go back to Badillo. Enriquillo, determined, went to Badillo for the second time. He was warned if he tried again he would be arrested and sent to jail.9

Now, onto the other shoulder. A picture of a mountain. The refusal once more made Enriquillo decide to rebel against the Spaniards. He, Mencia, and a large group of Tainos fled to the mountains of Bahoruco. This instantly caused a reaction from the Spaniards and Badillo, Andres and a large group of men, set off in pursuit. The tattoo is red.10

A fierce battle was fought, in which the Taino won, killing many of the Spaniards. Enriquillo and his Taino's then created a mountain stronghold. They grew yucca and hid it in the most remote valleys. They caused many raids against the nearby haciendas and ranches. The next tattoo is one of an quill.11

A war was fought, losses on both sides. But Enriquillo and the Tainos always won, to the humiliation of the Spaniards. Finally, the Emperor himself sent off a corp of two hundred man, controlled by Captain Francisco de Barrionuevo. His instructions were to find all possible ways of negociating peace before fighting. Next to a saltwater lake, named Enriquillo Lake forever afterwards, Enriquillo agreed to cease fighting on these conditions; the encomienda system was abolished and that the Tainos were freed and given land for growing crops and animals. The people were free once more.12

Higuamota spins a final time, her skirt flying, hair as dark as the midnight sky. She sinks down softly, like thistledown, her story told. The legend of Enriquillo.