Recreation & Entertainment

Caguana Ceremonial ball court (batey), outlined with stones. By Alessandro Cai (OliverZena) (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The Taíno frequently played a recreational game called Batey. Women and men both played, although participated separately. Games were made up of 10-30 players, whom stood on opposite sides of a rectangular court in the middle of village centers while spectators sat on stones or embankments. Teams took alternative turns serving the rubber ball, keeping the ball in motion with their bodies (but not their hands or feet). Batey games between villages were considered intramural games, and games were also played between districts. In addition, anthropologists suggest batey may have been used for conflict resolution when needed.

The Taíno also received joy and pastime from songs and dances called areytos. Villages held festivals, which celebrated aspects of the Taíno life. These pastimes created the opportunity for legends and tales to be passed down through song and dance. Musical instruments consisted of maracas, quiro, and flutes made from cane or bones. Maracas and quiros were made from hollowed out gourds. Drums were made from hollowed tree trunks that were hit with sticks.

(Rouse, 1992, Jacobs, 1992)