Caonabo was a Taino cacique of Hispaniola at the time of Christopher Columbus's arrival to the island.
16 Facts About Caonabo
1.
2.
Caonabo was known for his fighting skills and his ferocity.
3.
Caonabo was married to Anacaona, who was the sister of another cacique named Bohechio.
4.
In retaliation against mistreatment of the Taino people, Caonabo led attacks against the Spanish, including an assault on La Navidad which left 39 Spaniards dead.
5.
Caonabo was one of the principal caciques on Hispaniola at the time of Christopher Columbus's arrival.
6.
Caonabo ruled over the chiefdom of Maguana in the southern part of the island.
7.
Caonabo was not native to Hispaniola, rather he was born on the Lucayan Archipelago of the Bahamas.
8.
Caonabo eventually landed on the south coast near where the city of Santo Domingo was later founded.
9.
Caonabo led an attack on the fort in 1493, defeating all the Spaniards who remained.
10.
When Columbus returned to Hispaniola and found La Navidad destroyed, Caonabo quickly came to be considered one of the strongest leaders on the island.
11.
The cacique Guacanagarix of Marien informed the Spaniards that Caonabo was responsible for the attack.
12.
In 1494, Bartholomew Columbus received word that Caonabo was planning an attack on the Spanish fort at Santo Tomas.
13.
Caonabo was captured by Ojeda and taken prisoner soon afterward.
14.
When Caonabo tried on the handcuffs, Ojeda locked them and took him prisoner.
15.
The capture of Caonabo roused the Taino, leading to the first ever Native American uprising against the Spanish.
16.
Caonabo died during the voyage and was buried at sea.