Main article: History of Puerto Rico Located in the northeastern Caribbean Sea, Puerto Rico was the key to the Spanish Empire since the early years of the exploration, conquest and colonization of the New World. ...

The Black History of Puerto Rico begins with the colonization of the key Caribbean island of Puerto Rico by the Spanish Empire. Spanish planters brought slaves from Africa to work the land. Black Puerto Ricans intermarried extensively with European and indigenous persons, so modern Puerto Rico does not recognize such distinct racial divisions as in the continental United States, still today there remains a rich black culture in Puerto Rico. West Indian redirects here. ... Slave redirects here. ... A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ...

Colonial Era

Before Christopher Columbus discovered Puerto Rico during his second voyage, Taíno Indians were the island's main inhabitants. Puerto Rico became a Spanish territory soon after Columbus's discovery. Christopher Columbus (1451 – May 20, 1506) was a navigator and maritime explorer credited as the discoverer of the Americas. ... The reconstruction of Taino village, Cuba The Taíno are pre-Colombian indigenous inhabitants of the Bahamas, Greater Antilles, and some of the Lesser Antilles. ...

Pre-Columbian contact

Some historians speculate that Africans of the Sahel region, including the energetic Mali Empire, may have had contact with Caribbean and Brazilian indigenous peoples before the arrival of Europeans in the New World.^[1] Perceived linguistic similarities between West African groups and the Taíno, paired with the theoretical ability of the West Africans to cross the Atlantic, suggest the possibility of African cultural influences that long predate European contact. The paths that hurricanes tend to follow across the Atlantic (known as "Hurricane Alley") may have also been a natural push for these early African voyagers. Compelling archaeological evidence of such contact, much less mutual trade and cultural exchange, remains to be presented. This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... The Mali Empire or Manding Empire or Manden Kurufa was a medieval West African state of the Mandinka from 1235 to 1468. ... This article is very long. ... Carte dAmérique, Guillaume Delisle, c. ... Linguistics is the scientific study of language. ...  Western Africa (UN subregion)  Maghreb[1] West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. ... The reconstruction of Taino village, Cuba The Taíno are pre-Colombian indigenous inhabitants of the Bahamas, Greater Antilles, and some of the Lesser Antilles. ... “Atlantic” redirects here. ... This article is about weather phenomena. ...

Slavery

Soon after Christopher Columbus brought European culture to Puerto Rico (and the rest of Latin America), the Europeans began to sell slaves to rich farmers or landowners who came from Spain to Latin America. Many of the slaves who came to Puerto Rico were from Congo (Mayombe religions such as "Palo Monte" were an intrinsic part of Puerto Rico's early spiritualist history before Allan Kardec ), the Ashanti, Yoruba and Bantu tribes.^[2] In all, 31 known African tribes were brought to the island from Central and West Africa through the slave trade. Latin America consists of the countries of South America and some of North America (including Central America and some the islands of the Caribbean) whose inhabitants mostly speak Romance languages, although Native American languages are also spoken. ... Slave redirects here. ... Palo Monte, or Regla de Palo Monte, is one of the main currents in Cuban popular religion. ... Allan Kardec was a pseudonym of Hippolyte Léon Denizard Rivail (October 3, 1804 - March 31, 1869), systematizer of the Spiritism. ... For other uses, see Ashanti (disambiguation). ... The Yoruba (Yorùbá in Yoruba orthography) are a large ethno-linguistic group or ethnic nation in Africa; the majority of them speak the Yoruba language (ede Yorùbá). The Yoruba constitute approximately 21 percent of Nigerias total population,[1] and around 30 million individuals throughout the region of... Map showing the approximate distribution of Bantu (dull yellow) vs. ...

It is believed that many slaves entered Puerto Rico through the island's east side, hence the large population of blacks from San Juan to Vieques. Ponce and Mayagüez have large populations that came from Cuba, Haiti, and Colombia. During the years of indigenous and African slavery, miscegenation was rampant. Tainos were believed to have been raped by Spaniards, and they also intermarried with the incoming Africans. This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Flag Seal Nickname: Isla Nena (Baby Girl Island) Gentilic: Viequenses Location Location of Vieques, Puerto Rico within Puerto Rico Government Founded {{{founded}}} Mayor Damaso Serrano López Political party PPD Senatorial district 8 - Carolina Representative district 36 Geographical characteristics Area Total 348. ... Flag Seal Nickname: Ciudad de los Leones , La Perla del Sur Gentilic: Ponceños Location Location of Ponce, Puerto Rico within Puerto Rico Government Founded 1692 Mayor Francisco Zayas Seijo Political party PPD Senatorial district 5 - Ponce Representative district 24,25 Geographical characteristics Area Total 501. ... Flag Seal Nickname: La Sultana del Oeste, La Ciudad de las Aguas Puras, El Pueblo del Mangó Gentilic: Mayagüezanos Location Location of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico within Puerto Rico Coordinates Government Founded July 19 1760 Mayor José Guillermo Rodríguez Rodríguez Political party PPD Senatorial district Mayagüez...

In Puerto Rico, as in many other countries, slave owners would insult black workers and make them labor under poor working conditions for little or no money. They also abused them physically, sometimes injuring or killing them. Some slave owners would also rape black women and girls, including the wives of the male slaves. These types of abuses, of which most Puerto Ricans born during the 20th century had little knowledge, were exposed in many of Abelardo Diaz Alfaro's books written during the 1940s. Diaz Alfaro opposed racism and his writing reflected those sentiments. (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999... Abelardo Diaz Alfaro (1916 - July 22, 1999) was a Puerto Rican author who reached great fame throughout Latin America during the 1940s. ... The 1940s decade ran from 1940 to 1949. ... Manifestations Slavery · Racial profiling · Lynching Hate speech · Hate crime · Hate groups Genocide · Holocaust · Pogrom Ethnocide · Ethnic cleansing · Race war Religious persecution · Gay bashing Movements Discriminatory Aryanism · Neo-Nazism · Supremacism Kahanism Anti-discriminatory Abolitionism · Civil rights · Gay rights Womens/Universal suffrage · Mens rights Childrens rights · Youth rights Disability...

As in most countries where slaves were brought over from Africa, slaves in Puerto Rico were assigned new last names. Slaves usually took their owners' Spanish names, passing the adopted last names to their children, and so on. Many slaves worked in sugarcane fields, others in manufacturing or other types of jobs. A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ...

After the annihilation of Puerto Rico's Taino population, Africans were brought to the island to provide labor for the short-lived gold mining industry. When the gold ran out, so did most of the white population. Fortune hunting Europeans abandoned Puerto Rico to seek riches in Mexico and South America. The Spanish Crown used a subsidy from its gold producing colonies on the mainland, called El Situado, to maintain a garrison and forts in San Juan. Puerto Rico was the last stop in the Greater Antilles before the long voyage to Europe for Spanish ships laden with gold. South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ...

However, with few whites (and no Tainos) to provide a population base to support the garrison, the Spanish government sought to alleviate this problem by offering freedom to Black people from non-Spanish colonies who immigrated to Puerto Rico. Although this became official through a Spanish edict in 1664, this process already was occurring since about 1570. Initially, most of this population settled in Cangrerjos (today, Santurce). However, the entire northeast coast, from Cangrejos through Carolina, Loíza, Canóvanas, Fajardo to Culebra and Vieques, was settled by this immigrant Black population. Consequently, the majority of Puerto Rico's population from the end of the 16th Century to the beginning of the 19th Century was Black and/or Mulato. Statue of Roberto Clemente located at entrance of Ciudad Deportiva Roberto Clemente Nickname: Ciudad de Gigantes Official website: None Location Location within the island of Puerto Rico Government Country Puerto Rico Mayor José E. Aponte de la Torre (PPD) Geographical characteristics Area Total 117. ... Loíza is a small town in the northeastern coast of Puerto Rico, near Canóvanas, Carolina and San Juan. ... Image:Canóvanas seal. ... Nickname: Los Cariduros, La Metrópolis del Sol Naciente Gentilic: Fajardeños Location Location of Fajardo, Puerto Rico within Puerto Rico Government Founded 1772 Mayor Hon. ...

Puerto Rico had the oldest and largest Free Black population in the Western Hemisphere during the era of the African Slave trade. It was this free Black population that was largely responsible for keeping Puerto Rico Spanish. They played key roles in repelling all European invasions of the island, especially the last British invasion attempt in 1797 (which helped to end British expansion in the Caribbean). Black militia from Puerto Rico served under the Spanish Armed forces in Haiti, Venezuela, and in the American War of Independence. There were several notable Black or Mulato Puerto Ricans who contributed to the island's history during this period: Jose Campeche, the island's first famous painter; Miguel Henriquez, the Corsair, whose ships defeated a British fleet off the island of Vieques in 1714; Rafael Cordero, a self taught educator who in the early 19th Century tutored the island's future political leaders; and Rafael Cordero's sister, Celestina, who attempted to create the first school for girls in Latin America, 17 years before her brother started his school. This free Black population essentially created and developed what is known as Puerto Rican culture, especially in its music and culinary traditions. José Campeche (1751-1809), was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. ... Capt. ... This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

After Spain lost its colonies in Mexico, as well as Central and South America, at the onset of the 19th Century, Spain reinstituted the sugar economy in Puerto Rico. White immigration was encouraged, first from the Americas and later from the provinces of Spain. There was an increase in the importation of African slaves who worked the sugar plantations from Guayama, west through Ponce and Mayaguez, and the northwest coastal towns through Vega Baja. This was the period in which the island reached the height of its Slave population, from 1810 to abolition in 1873. Still, even during this time, the slave population was never the majority of the Black population of Puerto Rico. Even so, the Spanish government imposed draconian laws to control the behavior of all Black Puerto Ricans, slave or free, during the early part of the 19th Century (el Bando contra La Raza Africana). This had been caused in part by the hysteria engendered by the Haitian Revolution and the Escalera Conspiracy in Cuba.

As the white population on the island increased during the 19th Century, Black Puerto Rican culture became marginalized and denigrated. Although there have been a great many famous Black Puerto Ricans (e.g., Pedro Albizu Campos, Roberto Clemente, Ruth Fernandez, Rafael Hernandez, Félix Trinidad, etc.), most AfroBoricuas still live on the periphery of island society. Pedro Albizu Campos Pedro Albizu Campos (September 12, 1891 – April 21, 1965) born in Tenerías Village in Ponce, Puerto Rico was the son of Alejandro Albizu and Juana Campos. ... Roberto Clemente Walker (August 18, 1934 – December 31, 1972) was a Major League Baseball right fielder and right-handed batter. ... Ruth Fernandez (born May 23, 1919 in Ponce, Puerto Rico) is a singer who is said to be one of three artists whose contributions have helped unite Latin America. ... Rafael Hernandez (October 24, 1892 – December 11, 1965), who was born in the town of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, was a composer who is considered by many to be the greatest composer of Puerto Rican music. ... Félix Tito Trinidad, Jr. ...

Abolition

By the 19th century the abolitionist movement attracted many Spanish creoles, mestizos, and freed "people of color" who developed a social conscience with regard to slavery. Among them were Ramon Emeterio Betances, Segundo Ruiz Belvis, Eugenio Maria de Hostos, Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, and Lola Rodríguez de Tió. Betances even formed a secret society which helped many slaves gain their freedom. On September 23, 1868, many slaves participated in the failed uprising against Spain, headed by Manuel Rojas and known as "El Grito de Lares", with the promise that they would be freed. Abolition is the act of formally destroying something through legal means, either by making it illegal, or simply no longer allowing it to exist in any form. ... Ramón Emeterio Betances (Image: Library of Congress) Dr. Ramón Emeterio Betances (April 8, 1827 - September 18, 1898), born in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, was the main leader of the Grito de Lares revolution. ... Segundo Ruiz Belvis (May 13, 1829 – November 3, 1867) born in Hormigueros, Puerto Rico was a dedicated abolisionist who also fought for Puerto Ricos right to independence. ... Eugenio María de Hostos (1839-1903) born Río Cañas, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, was a Puerto Rican educator and independence advocate known as El Cuidadano de las Americas (The Citizen of the Americas). ... Arturo Alfonso Schomburg a. ... Lola Rodríguez de Tió (September 14, 1848-November 10, 1924), born in San Germán, Puerto Rico was the first Puerto Rican born poetess to establish herself a reputation as a great poet throughout all of Latin-America. ... September 23 is the 266th day of the year (267th in leap years). ... 1868 (MDCCCLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Friday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... Manuel Rojas (1820-18??), born in Caracas, Venezuela from a Puerto Rican father and a Venezuelan mother was one of the main leaders of the Grito de Lares uprisng against the Spanish colonial government in 1868. ... El Grito de Lares (The Cry of Lares) —also referred as the Lares uprising, the Lares revolt, Lares rebellion or even Lares Revolution - refers to the revolt against Spanish rule in Puerto Rico which occurred on September 23, 1868, in the town of Lares, Puerto Rico. ...

On 1873-03-22, a law proclaiming the abolition of slavery in Puerto Rico was passed. ^[3] 1873 (MDCCCLXXIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... March 22 is the 81st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (82nd in leap years). ...

Modern society

The term Negro(a) or Negrito(a), which means small black person, originated during the African slave trade and was used to describe a person of visible African descent (i.e., Negro Jose or Negra Maria). Today the word has lost its negative connotations and is often applied to another as a term of endearment regardless of his or her background. In 2003, several major DNA studies done at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez discovered that 61%, 27%, and 12% of Puerto Ricans have Taino, African, and European ancestry, respectively, through matrilineal lines. This was due to the fact that the Spanish Conquest was mostly male and the Iberian men who accompanied Christopher Columbus came into the Caribbean's "New World" to take their share of gold and "exotic" native women. The structure of part of a DNA double helix Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions for the development and function of living organisms. ... The University of Puerto Rico (UPR) is the university system of Puerto Rico. ...

The Spaniards also abused the enslaved African women. While some had consented marriages, the majority did not. "Race" could no longer be defined clearly as the various populations became blended to the point of social obscurity. The Spanish culture dominated all aspects of island life. Taino culture disappeared into the conquering culture as did African culture. They were overshadowed and relegated to the "back burners" of Puerto Rican society until the present day. As Puerto Rican culture moves toward a better understanding of its origin, more confidence and pride than ever before felt toward its roots.

Most Puerto Ricans enjoy Salsa music, a musical blend of African and Caribbean rhythms developed by Puerto Ricans who grew up in the streets of New York. Salsa was imported back into Puerto Rico and Cuba as "popular" music in the 30s, 40s, and 50s. On the island of Puerto Rico, Bomba (from Loiza, Mayagüez, and Ponce), which has origins in West Africa, has always been one of the major forms of music enjoyed by all Puerto Ricans. The Taino-Spanish influence (also included in Salsa and evidenced by the use of the clave and maracas as integral musical instruments) comes from the mountain regions where the strongest vestiges of Taino culture are held. Plena (which many say came from Barrio San Anton in Ponce) is another major form. Reggaeton, a form of music that blends latin rythms and Hip Hop with Jamaican Reggae rhythms, has also entered the popular Puerto Rican musical arena. Salsa music is a diverse and predominantly Spanish Caribbean genre that is popular across Latin America and among Latinos abroad. ... NY redirects here. ... For other uses, see Bomba (disambiguation). ... Flag Seal Nickname: La Sultana del Oeste, La Ciudad de las Aguas Puras, El Pueblo del Mangó Gentilic: Mayagüezanos Location Location of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico within Puerto Rico Coordinates Government Founded July 19 1760 Mayor José Guillermo Rodríguez Rodríguez Political party PPD Senatorial district Mayagüez... Flag Seal Nickname: Ciudad de los Leones , La Perla del Sur Gentilic: Ponceños Location Location of Ponce, Puerto Rico within Puerto Rico Government Founded 1692 Mayor Francisco Zayas Seijo Political party PPD Senatorial district 5 - Ponce Representative district 24,25 Geographical characteristics Area Total 501. ... Reggaeton (spelled optionally with the acute diacritic in English and known as Reguetón and Reggaetón in Spanish) is a form of dance music which became popular with Latin American (or Latino) youth during the early 1990s and spread to North American, European, Asian, and Australian audiences during the...

Although many black Puerto Ricans live in poor residential areas, many others have progressed and are able to live comfortably. Still, at least two-thirds of all Puerto Ricans live on public assistance.

Among the towns with the largest black populations in Puerto Rico, apart from San Juan and Vieques, are Loíza, Canovanas, Carolina, Fajardo, Ponce, and Mayagüez. Other cities, such as Caguas and Bayamon, also have significant numbers of black residents. Loíza is a small town in the northeastern coast of Puerto Rico, near Canóvanas, Carolina and San Juan. ... Can vanas is a city in Puerto Rico, located in the north-east of the island. ... Statue of Roberto Clemente located at entrance of Ciudad Deportiva Roberto Clemente Nickname: Ciudad de Gigantes Official website: None Location Location within the island of Puerto Rico Government Country Puerto Rico Mayor José E. Aponte de la Torre (PPD) Geographical characteristics Area Total 117. ... Nickname: Los Cariduros, La Metrópolis del Sol Naciente Gentilic: Fajardeños Location Location of Fajardo, Puerto Rico within Puerto Rico Government Founded 1772 Mayor Hon. ... Flag Seal Nickname: Ciudad de los Leones , La Perla del Sur Gentilic: Ponceños Location Location of Ponce, Puerto Rico within Puerto Rico Government Founded 1692 Mayor Francisco Zayas Seijo Political party PPD Senatorial district 5 - Ponce Representative district 24,25 Geographical characteristics Area Total 501. ... Mayagüez (pronounced Mah-yah-goo-ehz) is the third largest city of Puerto Rico. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Bayam n (not to be confused with Bayamo, Cuba) is a city in northern Puerto Rico. ...

To many Puerto Ricans a person is not considered black because his or her ancestors were black, as in the mainland United States, but by the color of the skin. So, for example, if someone has a grandparent or other ancestor who was black, if he or she looks white, he or she is considered white by a Puerto Rican.

See also

• Calle 13 (Puerto Rico's three-time Emmy Latino Award laureate)
• List of important Black Puerto Ricans
• List of famous Puerto Ricans
• List of Taínos
• Sports in Puerto Rico

Calle 13 is an avant-garde Puerto Rican hip hop and alternative-reggaeton duo formed by step-brothers who call themselves Residente (lead singer, writer) and Visitante (keyboards, vocals, writer, beat producer). ... An Emmy Award. ... This is a List of notable and important Black Puerto Ricans in alphabetical order, by last names. ... list of famous Puerto Ricans in alphabetical order by last names, where applicable. ... List of Taínos An Arawak Tribe Abey, cacique of Salinas, Puerto Rico Agueybana,Supreme Cacique in Puerto Rico Agueybana II, Agueybana,s brother Alonso, minor cacique of Utuado, Puerto Rico Arasibo, cacique of Arecibo, Puerto Rico Armana, cacique around Coa (Toa) river in Puerto Rico Aymamon, cacique around river... Sports in Puerto Rico can be traced from the ceremonial competitions amongst the pre-Columbian Native Americans of the Arawak also known as Taíno tribes which inhabited the island to the modern era in which sports activities consist of an organized physical activity or skill carried out with a...

References

1. ^ Lecture Notes 1 - African societies and the making of the black diaspora
2. ^ Celebrating Puerto Rico's Black Heritage
3. ^ Spain decreed the abolition of slavery from The Encyclopedia of World History Sixth Edition, Peter N. Stearns (general editor), © 2001 The Houghton Mifflin Company, at Bartleby.com.