Do taino Indians still exist today?

Answer 1

Taino culture has influenced the way of life in the Spanish speaking Carribean. The Spanish language as spoken there still retains over 1000 words in their every day speech that comes from the Taino. Most of the towns and cities still retain their Taino names as do the rivers and mountain ranges. The foods that are consumed are still the same items cultivated by the Taino except they've been spiced up a bit more by additions of Spanish and African condiments . Even Salsa has a Taino cultural contribution. They still play the Maracas and the Guiro ( scraper ) both Taino inventions. People still use tobacco for healing and divination rituals and oral traditions are still passed down to the younger generations. Areitos (ceremonial Dances) are still done in various sacred places on the islands.

Answer 2

Taino Indian descendants do exist today. Just as most of the eastern coastal tribes in the USA, they mixed and blended traditions with both the European and African. Today various types of DNA test have shown that Taino descendants make up to 60% of the population of Puerto Rico, 30% of the population of Cuba and 20% of the Population of the Domincan Republic. These descendants live totally mixed with the rest of their countrymen yet some still retain various cultural expressions such as making Casabe bread, basket weaving, herbal medicine, mound gardening and spiritual practices. Various Taino organizations are in fact recognized by other Tribal governments in North Central and South America.