Hatuey

Hatuey (death the February 2nd 1512 with Yara, Cuba) was a Cacique Taïno of the island of Hispaniola which fought against the Conquistador S in Hispaniola and Cuba.

Biography

It arrived at Cuba after being expelled by the Spanish of its native soil Ayiti (name taïno of Hispaniola), in Canoë with 400 of its compatriots in 1511.

Over there, it contacted the various tribes taïnos is island and their advised to prepare with the fight against the conquistadors. Only, the majority of the taïnos, very peaceful people, did not believe its warnings.

Then, it took the head of the Révolte taïno and succeeded in confining the Spaniards in the fort of Baracoa.

Principal actions

Hatuey organized a Guerilla, where small groups of taïnos attacked by surprised the Spaniards, armed with sticks, stones and flêches. The Spaniards, directed by Diego Velásquez, organized the progressive extermination rebels while being based on their technological superiority.

Hatuey will be finally captured thanks to information of a prisoner.

Died

Hatuey was condemned to be burned alive on one to rough-hew, the sorrow reserved at worst the criminal.

Bartolomé de Las Put tells that when one proposed to him to baptize it to erase the sins which it made against the Christian S, Hatuey reflects a long time. In its culture, the Mort S live in a universe parallel with that of alive and are happy only if the alive ones continue to honor their memory in their making offerings. And Hatuey knows well that there will not be soon more only one Indian alive to honor its memory.

He asks then: " And do baptized people, where go after death? "

" With the paradis" he answers the priest.

" And do the Spaniards, where go? " still ask Hatuey.

" If they are baptized, obviously, they go to the Paradis. "

" Ah! known as Hatuey, the Spaniards go to the paradise… In this case, I do not want to go there. Do not baptize me. I will be better in Enfer than with beings also cruels."

Today in Cuba

Hatuey is a legendary hero today. It is the first to have fought against the Colonialisme with the Nouveau world, and is celebrated like the first national hero of Cuba. Hatuey thus became a rather popular Prénom there.

There is a traditional pilgrimage on the place of the execution, in Yara, close to the town of Bayamo.

Bacardi manufactures a mark of Bière which bears its name.

See too

History of Cuba

External bonds

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