Dialogues in Cuban Archaeology

7 / El Chorro de Maíta
Social Inequality and Mortuary Space
Roberto Valcárcel Rojas and César A. Rodríguez Arce
Understanding of the social and political organization of the Arawak aboriginal
communities of Cuba, better known as the Taínos, Subtaínos, or
groups of the etapa agroalfarera (agricultural-ceramist stage), has been limited
by a shortage of historical and archaeological data. With respect to chiefdoms
on the island, the prevailing view is that the power of caciques was limited to
their local community (Domínguez et al. 1994:46; Guarch Delmonte et al.
1995; Tabío and Rey 1985:164), although historical evidence suggests that
leadership in some areas may have been more complex and strati¤ed. In 1514,
Diego Velázquez mentioned that the native province of Cabaneque was subordinate
to that of Camagüey (Pichardo Moya 1971:66). The letter also mentions
Yaguacayex, “the main cacique of the province (Havana)” (Pichardo
Moya 1971:68). Pichardo Moya’s document collection (1971:50) also includes
a comment from Las Casas on the existence of “kings and gentlemen,” suggesting
multiple levels among the elite.
Torre (1841) used historical references to Indian provinces to create a map
of cacicazgos in Cuba. These have been interpreted by some researchers as evidence
of a widespread structure of chiefdoms with incipient tributary relationships
(Moscoso 1986:374). However, as noted by several scholars (Domínguez
et al. 1994:48; Guarch Delmonte et al. 1995), we lack the data necessary
to de¤ne the structure of these supposed political units. Furthermore, it is not
clear what form of dependent relationship existed between the provinces of
Cabaneque and Camagüey, nor is there evidence that we can generalize this
case as common to the whole island.