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Anacaona
(1474–1504)
Was a Taíno cacique (chief), born in Yaguana (present day Léogâne, Haiti). into a family of chiefs, and sister of Bohechío, chief of Xaragua. She succeeded her brother Bohechio as chief of the Xaragua after his death. Under Anacaona’s rule, the Spaniard settlers and Xaragua people coexisted and intermarried.
Anacaona
Born
1474
Yaguana, Jaragua, present-day Léogâne, Haiti
Died
c. 1504
Hispaniola
Spouse
Caonabo
Occupation
Cacique
In 1503, during his visit to Yaguana, governor of the island Nicolas Ovando suspected an insurrection among the present Taino chiefs including Anacaona. Ovando gave the order for the chiefs to be captured and burned, and Anacaona was arrested and hanged.
Anacaona was born in Yaguana, the capital of Xaragua (present day Léogâne, Haiti) in 1474. Her name was derived from the Taíno words ana, meaning ‘flower’, and caona, meaning ‘gold, golden.'[citation needed] Anacaona’s brother Bohechío was a local chieftain.
Anacaona was married with Caonabo, the chieftain of Maguana. Together they had one daughter, Higuemota. In 1493, Caonabo was arrested for ordering the destruction of La Navidad (a Spanish settlement) and its people. He was shipped to Spain and died in a shipwreck during the journey. When Caonabo was captured, Anacaona returned to Yaguana and served as an advisor to her brother, chief Bohechio. After Bohechio’s death, Anacoana served as cacique until her execution in 1503.
