Guarionex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Guarionex |
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Smithsonian 1901 map of Puerto Rico caciques
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| Cacique of Maguá | |
| Reign | c. 6 December 1492 - 1502 |
| Born | Maguá, Hispaniola |
| Died | 1502 |
| Father | Guacanagarix |
Guarionex was a brave Taíno leader, known as a cacique. His name in the Taíno language meant "The Brave Noble Lord." He lived in a region called Maguá on the island of Hispaniola.
Guarionex was a leader when Europeans first arrived in the Americas in 1492. His father was Guacanagarix, another important Taíno cacique. Guacanagarix was known as a prophet who had a special vision. He saw the coming of the Guamikena, which was the Taíno word for White Men, or Europeans.
Life as a Taíno Leader
After 1492, the Spanish began to control Hispaniola. From 1494, they made the Taíno people pay heavy tributes. These were like taxes or payments. In 1495, another Taíno leader named Caonabo led a fight against the Spanish. However, his forces were defeated by Bartholomew Columbus, who was Christopher Columbus's brother.
Guarionex first tried to keep peace with the Spanish. He hoped to avoid more conflict. But by 1497, things got much worse. Guarionex then decided to join a Spanish rebel named Francisco Roldán. Together, they planned to attack the Spanish forces.
Bartholomew Columbus gathered his soldiers. They launched a surprise night attack on Guarionex's camp. Guarionex was captured during this attack. His warriors were scattered.
Later Life and Capture
After his capture, Guarionex was released by Columbus. He went back to trying to make peace with the Spanish. However, he found it hard to keep his power. Eventually, he fled to the northern part of the island to escape.
The Spanish found him there and captured him again. In 1502, they put him in chains. They planned to send him as a prisoner to Spain. Sadly, the ship carrying Guarionex sank during a big storm. A large amount of gold was also lost with the ship. This gold was said to be worth a lot of money at the time.
At some point, Guarionex also went to Puerto Rico. He became the cacique of a place called Otoa. Today, this area is known as Utuado, in Puerto Rico.
See also
- Chiefdoms of Hispaniola
- List of Puerto Ricans
- Agüeybaná
- Agüeybaná II
- List of Taínos
- Arasibo
- Hayuya
- Jumacao
- Orocobix
- Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Center
