Forbidden Love: The Legend of Guanina and Don Cristobal de Sotomayor (1511)

Long ago in the middle of the Caribbean Sea on a small island called Borikén lived the indigenous Taino’s culture, descendants of Arawak. The Taino’s were known for their nobility and gentle nature. They lived in peace and harmony in their topical island, but that all began to change with the arrival of the Spaniards. The year was 1493 when Christopher Columbus first arrived at its shores in the provenance of Aymaco. The Taino’s had never seen such creatures, their skins were as white as the clouds and their eyes were as blue as the ocean. They arrived in great wooden beasts that was speculated to have descended from the heavens. Their bodies were protected by a hard shining shell resembling a carey. They spoke a different tongue, the tongue of the Gods most would say. It would have been foolish to not receive these deities with respect and humility.

Agüeybana the supreme leader of the Taino’s in Borikén received the Spaniards with open arms and provided them with gift. All their desired were fulfill from food and clothes to nuggets of gold. The deities at first were kind to the Taino’s until they discovered the presence of gold. Their hunger for the yellow rock was insatiable, their desperation to acquire it was overwhelming. It wasn’t long after, more wooden beast began to arrive to the island bringing more deities searching for the precious stone.

One day, a deity that called himself Don Cristobal de Sotomayor arrive to the island. He was received by Agüeybana who was accompanied by his nephew Guaybana and niece Guanina with her betrothed Guarionex. Guanina was the most beautiful taina Sotomayor had ever seen. She had a tanned complexion, expressive brown eyes, and a beautiful figure. Her thick black hair that reached her waist drove him mad with desire. Sotomayor had requested Guanina to be his guide. Agüeybana was obliged to accept Sotomayor’s request with the condition that her brother Guaybana would always accompany them. This did not please her betrothed Guarionex, but they would not dare defy the gods.

The more time Sotomayor and Guanina spent together the more attraction they felt for each other. An attraction that Guanina would not dare to show in the presence of her brother. One day when Guaybana was busy hunting, Sotomayor declared his love to Guanina. She began to cry.

“Why do you cry my love?” asked Sotomayor.

“I cry because I feel like my river has split into two streams. I also love you Sotomayor, but my uncle Agüeybana has promised me to Guarionex. He is a great warrior, and our marriage would fortify our people against the Caribes. I am not free to choose.” said Guanina.

“Do not cry my dear. I will speak to your uncle and ask for your hand.” said Sotomayor.

As soon as Guaybana had returned from the hunt, Sotomayor asked Guaybana to escort him to meet with the great cacique Agüeybana. Guanina did not dare to meet the eyes of her brother and Guaybana was beginning to suspect something had happened.

Agüeybana received both Sotomayor and his nephew into his hut.

“Have my niece and nephew pleased you well my lord?” asked Agüeybana

“Yes, they have been serving me well.”

“That is good to hear. Tell me how I may serve you, my lord?”

Sotomayor looked at Guaybana and ordered him to wait outside the hut. Guaybana looked at his uncle and Agüeybana nodded him with approval. When Guaybana had left the room Sotomayor began to talk.

“I have learned that Guanina is promised to another man. I come to ask that you free her from her engagement with Guarionex and offer her to me.” said Sotomayor

“I’m afraid I cannot help you with this request. For their engagement was blessed by Yukiyú. Even if I could, I would still not allow it. I gave my word to Guarionex, it would bring me great shame if I retracted on my promise. I would lose credibility with my people. You may choose from any other available virgin.”

Sotomayor became angered with Agüeybana’s response. Without warning he surprised Agüeybana with a dagger to his heart.

“If you will not free her, then I shall do it for you.” Whispered Sotomayor into Agüeybana's ear.

Sotomayor removes the dagger from Agüeybana's chest and steals his guanín that signified his power. Agüeybana lets out a soft moan before falling dead on the ground. Guaybana hears the cry of his uncle and rushes into the hut finding him dead and Sotomayor standing over him. Guaybana rushes to his uncle, falling to his knees. Agüeybana’s spirit had gone to Coyaba where he would join his ancestors in tranquility and eternal rest.

“What have you done?” asked Guaybana with tears of anger falling from his cheek.

“He disobeyed my orders. I suggest you learn from his mistake.” said Sotomayor as he put the guanín around his neck. He walks out the hut and leaves Guaybana alone with his dead uncle. Without any guilt or remorse Sotomayor rushes back to the arms of his beloved Guanina to tell her the good news of her freedom.

*

Guanina was anxiously sitting by the window of Sotomayors cabin, when out of the shadows of the trees she sees her beloved approaching the house. She rushes to greet him at the door. He enters grabbing her by the waist and pulling her close. He gently caresses her face looks her in the eyes and said.

“You are free from your engagement with Guarionex and now belong to me.” He slowly leans forward and passionately kisses her. Guanina kisses him back passionately and wraps her arms around his neck. He picks her up in his arms and carries her to his bed. Under the moonlight entering through the window of the cabin and the sound of the coquí echoing through the forest they consummated their love and became one.

*

Guaybana was furious and sounded the drums of the Areyto. All the Tainos near the area that could hear the drums rush towards it. The drums of Areyto were most of the time played during the batey, but at these hours of the night it could only mean one thing. War.

*

It was not long after, the news of Agüeybana’s dead had travelled to all the villages of the island. The Tainos were furious and all the caciques from the other provenance arrived to Guaynía for his burial. One of the Caciques was Guarionex. In between the multitude of people, he searched for his betrothed Guanina but could not find her. He finds her brother Guaybana and stands by his side as the behique chanted to the spirit of Agüeybana to reach Coyaba.

“Where is Guanina?” asked Guarionex

“She has been stolen from you by Sotomayor.”

“What? How could this have happened? Our union was blessed by Yukiyú. What god goes over the orders of the Great Sun!” Guarionex was furious.

“These beings do not serve Yukiyu. They do not even know our ways of life. They are white demons that must be purged from our island.”

“Gods or demons, how can mortal man defeat the eternals?” asked Guarionex.

“I do not know. But I intend to find out.” said Guaybana.

As the weeks passed the Spaniards became more ruthless towards the Tainos. They were merciless beating the weak and enslaving the strong. The death of Agüeybana made the Spaniards feel invincible. With the great chief gone, how could the Tainos plan an attack? Would they really dare to rebel against their lords? Little did the Spaniards know that Guaybana had assumed the role of supreme leader of the Taino’s. With the support of the other caciques Guaybana was planning a way to defeat the invaders.

*

One day in the region of Yagüeca while the Tainos were forced to mine for gold in the Yuhueca River a Spaniard named Diego Salcedo was witling a piece of wood to pass the time while the tainos worked. The sharp knife in his hand slipped and cut his left hand near the thumb. It was a small cut that did not caused him to be alarmed. One of the tainos that belong to the Cacique Urayoán tribe had witness the incident and saw the drops of blood. The taino discreetly left his post and rush to Urayoán.

Urayoán was pleased with the news that was brought to his attention. He ordered a small group of his strongest warriors to drown Diego Salcedo in the Yuhueca River to prove his immortality.

Diego Salcedo did not last long submerged under the water. Is lifeless body floated in the crystal waters of the Yuhueva River. Urayoan and his warriors kept watch until sundown to make sure that Diego wouldn’t resuscitate. The body was beginning to swell up after so many hours floating in the river. The features of his face had changed, and the dead man was barely recognizable.

“They are not gods, they are men like us! They bleed and they die!” said Urayoán “Kaona!” he continued “Make haste to Guaynía, we must inform Guaybana.”

*

Kaona rush to Guaybana’s village. He travelled all night and most of the following day. When he finally reached Guaybana’s hut the evening had set in. Guaybana was accompanied by Guarionex when Kaona got permission to talk with the great Cacique. He barely had any breath in his voice when he told Guaybana the news. Guaybanas eyes widen with astonishment.

“Our prayers have been answered!” exclaimed the great Cacique.

“This changes everything! You say the word and I shall gather the warriors.” said Guarionex

“Sound the Areyto, it is time to cleanse our island!” Said Guaybana

The Areyto could be heard for miles. The sounds of the drums echoed among the trees reaching the neighboring village. Each tribe that heard the call for war also joined the sounds of their drums until the entire island was summoning its warriors for battle.

*

Juan González was patrolling Sotomayor’s surrounding lands when he heard the sound of the drums. The other time he had heard the drums was when Agüeybana had died. He walked towards Guaynía to investigate. As he got closer, he could hear chats and singing. Juan was hiding behind one of the roots of a great Ceiba tree. The Tainos were dancing around the fire. They painted their faces and bodies with red paint from the achiote seed. Some danced with axes in hand other with wooden batons filled with shark teeth. Juan was terrified by the actions of the tainos. Out of Agueybana’s hut walked out Guaybana painted in red and with his hands in the air demanding the attention of his tribesman.

“My people! The time has come to cleanse our island from the white demons! Today I received news from Urayoan that these white creatures that we received as gods are nothing more than mortal men! Men that have taken advantage of US! Men that have oppressed our children and enslaved our women! Men that have killed us and destroyed our sacred lands for their precious gold! Not even our greatest enemy the Caribes would dare to such atrocities!”

“The night I found my uncle dead, Sotomayor was standing over his body with his dagger in hand. He killed our great cacique and stole his guanín. And on top of that he took my sister Guanina from her betrothed Guarionex! Well, tonight we say enough! Let us unite as one tribe as we once did in the great war under the leadership of my uncle Agüeybana! Let us show these Spaniards what we are made of!” exclaimed Guaybana.

The crowd cheered and danced with fury around the fire. Their howling echoed the forest bringing chills to Juan González. He dreadfully ran as fast as he could to Sotomayor’s Cabin.

*

The sun was beginning to set, and the sky was painted with vivid colors of red, orange and pink. Sotomayor was sitting on a stool outside in the balcony admiring the colors of the sky. He enjoyed taking deep breaths of the forest freshness. As he was enjoying the evening breeze Guanina appeared from the thickness of the forest. She was agitated and scared.

“What is wrong my love? You seem frighten.” Asked Sotomayor

“I fear for you life. The Areyto has begun, and all the caciques of the island have sworn to kill you and your men. Please I beg you for the love you have for me, run and save yourself! I know plenty of caves around the area that we can use to hide until their fury has settled.”

“Nonsense!” exclaimed Sotomayor “Your people have already been conquered.”

He pulled her close. Guanina’s eyes were filled with tears. He wiped the tear off her beautiful face and kissed her forehead. “All will be fine.” He said to comfort her.

“Do not believe that for one second my love. Your life is in great danger. Any day now my people will attack.” Said Guanina

“You’re delusional!” he replied.

“Am I?” she exclaimed “My uncle Agüeybana convinced my people to receive you and your men with open arms in sign of peace and friendship. We thought of you as our brothers. But your actions have shown us that you do not consider us as brothers or friends. Your people think themselves as our owners. Most have abused us, taking advantage of our goodness. Forced labor on the mines have made my people desperate. They prefer to die than to continue digging the damned sands in search for gold." Said Guanina in between tears of anger.

“Your tone sounds rebellious.” said Sotomayor while sitting her down next to him and gently kissing her neck.

“I only speak the truth to save your life. Please heed my warning, I don’t want you to die.”

Guanina continued to cry as she hugged the young aristocrat who also hugged her with delight.

*

Guanina and Sotomayor were interrupted by the arrival of Juan González.

“Don Cristobal” said Juan “We have no time to waste. A formidable rebellion is on its way here. I just witness an Areyto and the Tainos are preparing to attack. Even the tainos under your service have sworn to kill us all!”

“Juan, do not tell me that you too are frightened of the natives? You are beginning to get skittish like them!” said Sotomayor in a chuckle.

“Sir, for the past few nights I have seen the light signals and I’ve heard in the middle of the silent night the repetitive sounds of the seashell in the mountains. A terrible racial battle is about to unleash! Please Sir, I implore you. Let’s leave these cursed lands. I know a safe way to Villa de Caparra, we still have time!”

“Do you really expect me to coward like a dog and flee with my tail between my legs!” said Sotomayor with anger. Detaching himself from the embrace of Guanina who had her head resting on his shoulder. He stood up and said to Juan.

“Have you forgotten to whom you speak? Never have I or my soldier coward towards the enemy! Never have we turned our back to a fight! I will not leave like a coward in the darkness of the night! We shall leave tomorrow in plain daylight and my trunks will be carried by does commoners that dance in the batey! Their cries for war will be punished! Now leave us!”

Sotomayor sat back next to Guanina and Juan left the cabin as he was ordered. Sotomayor was gently stroking Ganinas beautiful black hair. She looked at him with tears in her eyes.

“Do not cry my love. I’m only angry with your people but never at you. Your love fills my soul with happiness.” He gently grabs her face and leans in for a kiss. She wraps her arms around his neck and returns his kiss with passion. He soon forgot his worries with Guanina’s gentle touch.

*

The next day at the crack of dawn Juan Gonzales knocked on the door.

“Sir! Sir! It is me, Juan González.”

“Come in Juan!”

Juan enters. “Sir, we have kept watch all night while you slept. But we need to leave now before it’s too late.”

“Very well. Call Guaybana, I wish to speak with him.”

“Yes sir, right away sir.”

*

Juan González returns with Guaybana.

“Sir, Guaybana is here awaiting your orders.”

“Good. Guaybana, come in please!” said Sotomayor.

Guaybana entered the cabin with a frown on his face. He returned Sotomayor’s greeting with sourness and made no attempt to conceal his hate towards them.

“Guaybana, I need you to select a group of strong men to carry my trunks to Villa de Capara. I wish to depart immediately.”

“As you wish my lord.” Said Guaybana. He left the cabin with the same frown he had when he walked in. He gave Guanina and the other two men a menacing stare before walking out the door.

“What have you done?” asked Juan “Why would you do such a thing? Are you trying to get us killed?”

“Do not worry Juan. It is crucial for these bastards to know that we do not fear them. Beside I can’t think of no better way to get rid of his warriors.” said Sotomayor as he prepared his armor and sword. Guanina saw him and rushed to his side.

“Take me with you, my love. Please do not leave me here alone.”

“You must remain here. As soon as we walk out that door, war will unleash upon us. I could not bear seeing you get hurt. We will lead the attack away from here and you will be safe. As soon as it is over, I will come back for you. I promise.”

Sotomayor with his armor on gave Guanina a passionate kiss and walked out the door with his men. With the pinky finger in his left hand, he wiped away the tears in his eyes, not wanting his men to see. His tears were a tribute to the true love he felt for Guanina. For she had renounced her home and people for his love.

*

Sotomayor had ordered Juan González to stay behind to ensure that the servants carry the trunks. The rest of the men were to follow him on the trails to Villa de Caparra. As soon as they were gone, Guayaba put together 300 men to lead the attack against Sotomayor.

“My brothers, the time has finally arrived for our vengeance against the invaders! We have spent to many moons in the pits of despair. But today we will destroy them or die trying. Our great protector the Zemí have told us that if we are to die, we shall die killing. But he also told us that the sun shines for us today! Our brothers from the other regions of the island are ready to attack and await the news of our success! Tie your batons to your wrists and shoot your arrows with accuracy for today we shall once more be free men!” Shouted the great Cacique.

With screams of war the tainos ran in between the thick foliage of the forest following behind Sotomayor and his men in a savage and unorganized manner. The first to hear the approaching attackers was Juan González who was in between the Tainos and Sotomayor’s men. From between the shrubs Guaybana appeared with his warriors. Guaybana’s face was painted red, and in his hair, he had feathers from the Guaraguao. He was carrying an axe made out of quartz and behind him followed 300 men. Before Juan could react one of the taino servants hit him in the head with a rock making him lose his balance and fall to the ground. Guaybana approached with his axes high in hand to strike the final blow. Juan quickly bowed to the great cacique crying and begging for him to spare his life and in returned he would serve the cacique for eternity.

“Do not kill the coward!” shouted Guaybana “Quickly, we must catch up with Sotomayor and his men!”

The turbulent group of natives follow their leader down the path with loud furious cries of war. When Juan was alone, he praised God and climbed up a tree to wait until dark to travel safely to Villa de Caparra.

*

Don Cristobal and his other five companions could hear voices and strange sounds approaching from behind. It was not long for them to realize that the tainos had finally arrived to collide in battle.

“My friends!” shouted Sotomayor “prepared your swords and shields. For even if we are few, we shall still prevail. Keep the formation tight and do not separate for this shall grant us victory! May God protect us!”

The Spaniards chanted Sotomayor’s name while they prepared for the clash. The multitude of Tainos resembled a tsunami beating against the beach. The arrows that flew in the sky had darken the sun. The first wave that arrived quickly fell to the ground with the sharp swords. Their bodies were huddle together in the battle. The blood splashed everywhere. The Spaniards were agile and organized in their movements, but the tainos were plentiful. Broken batons were flying in the air, dead bodies were falling to the ground. Both Spaniards and Tainos let out screams of battle.

As the hours passed the screams and shouts became less and the last Spaniard standing was Sotomayor. His helmet was dented, his sword was broken. In his last attempt to destroy the root of the rebellion he rushed towards the Great Cacique Guaybana. But with his exhaustion and bodies lying in the ground he lost his balanced and was beaten on the head until dead by Guarionex. The tainos watched as the Spaniards blood splattered all over the warrior’s body. When Guarionex was satisfied, he and the remaining Tainos altogether with their Cacique led out a cheerful roar of victory. Guarionex pulled from Sotomayors neck the Guanín that once belonged to Guaybanas uncle and handed it to him.

“From now on you shall be known as Agüeybana the leader of our people!” exclaimed Guarionex.

The tainos cheered in agreement.

*

Before dusk the tainos were burying their dead. The new cacique Agüeybana walked towards Sotomayor and said to the bohique.

“Sotomayor was courageous and a formidable opponent. I want him to be buried with the honors of a cacique of the Spaniards.”

The bohique as ordered by Agüeybana was getting ready to prepare Sotomayor body when Guanina appeared and in her untamable sourness would not let anyone touch the body of her lover. Her screams filled the forest and her tears soaked the soil. She desperately and frantically kissed his lips in hope of reviving him. The Bohique returned to Agueybana with the regretful news that his sister was grieving for Sotomayor.

“Very well. Respect my sister’s pain today for tomorrow she shall be sacrificed over the tomb of Sotomayor and buried with him onto the next life. You Bohique Guacari will lead the bloody sacrifice” Said Agüeybana.

When Guacarí returned with his helpers to prepare Guanina for the ceremony they found her already dead. Her head rested in the bloody chest of her lover. Their bodies were buried together under the shade of a great Ceiba tree on the top of a hill. Over their tomb sprouted wild red poppies and white scented lilies. When the sun goes down and the sky turns red it is said that love lullabies can be heard traveling with the breeze. It is believed that the soul of the two lovers sprout from their tombs to dance under the moon, free from their racial burden.

The rebellion continued with Agüeybanas leadership in hopes of freedom...

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Taino words used in this narrative. Definitions were extracted from Taino dictionaries and internet references:

Borikén: The taino name for Puerto Rico.

Taino: Where the historic indigenous people of the Caribbean. Anthropologists believe they were a subgroup of the Arawakan Indians from Northeastern South America.

Aymaco: Territory located in the northwest part of the island near Añasco.

Carey: hawksbill turtle

Agüeybana: The name means “The great sun” he was the main cacique on the island for his convening powers over the rest of the caciques of the island. He resided in the province of Guaynía near the town of Guayanilla.

Guaybana: He was Agüeybana’s relative. He inherited Agüeybana’s authority after he died. Guaybana also started the rebellion against the Spaniards in 1511.

Guanina: is speculated to have been Guaybana’s sister.

Guarionex: He was known as the braves cacique on the island. He govern the province of Otoao west of the island. He attacked and destroyed Sotomayor’s villages during the 1511 rebellion. He was later killed by Juan González.

The Caribes: Natives that inhabited the lesser Antilles. Their name was given to the Caribbean sea. They were feared by many for their brutality and speculated cannibalism practices.

Yukiyú: Was the primary god of the Taino people.

Guanín: was a medallion made of gold, copper and silver used only by the caciques of the island.

Coyaba: The Tainos Heaven.

Areyto: was a ceremonial dance that was believed to narrate and honor the heroic deeds of the tainos.

Batey: was a sacred space used for celebration and meeting where the Tainos interacted socially through a ball game.

Behique: Priests, witch doctors or shamans.

Yagüeca: West region of the island that consist today by Añasco and Mayagüez.

Cacique: was a tribal chieftain of the Tainos.

Urayoan: Cacique of the region of Yagüeca. He order the drowning of Diego Salcedo to prove the immortality of the Spaniards.

Ceiba tree: is a tropical tree native to Mexico, central America and the Caribbean.

Achiote: is a spice and coloring agent extracted from the seeds of the evergreen Bixa Orellana shrub.

Villa de Caparra: Puerto Rico’s first settlement founded in 1508 by Spaniard Juan Ponce de Leon. The archeological site is located north of the island in the town of Guaynabo.

Guaraguao: The Puerto Rican broad-winged hawk.

Zemi: (or cemí) is an object that resembles the spiritual and vital force pertaining to deities and ancestors.

Coqui: Is a species of frog endemic to Puerto Rico. The species is named for the loud call the males makes at night.