“The name Cuba for the largest of the Antilles Islands goes back to the name Colba. It is not known whether this meant the whole island or just the land of the Taíno in the east. Colba - as Columbus understood it during the first encounters - became the more resounding Cuba.“ (see Zeuske 2007, 9-12.)

The island of Cuba has been inhabited by humans for several thousand years. The first human traces that man found on the island go back to 10,000 - 8,000 years BC. However, relatively little is known of the history, traditions, and culture of the people who lived in Cuba before Columbus‘ discovery.(see Zeuske 2007, 9-12.) When Cuba was discovered by Christopher Columbus on October 27, 1492, three different indigenous peoples were already living on the island. A total of around 200,000 people were counted, of which the Taíno indigenous people formed the largest group. (see Zeuske 2007, 9-12.) They lived in simple circumstances and were housed in huts made of palm leaves and caves. It is particularly noteworthy that the indigenous peoples in Cuba were the first who smoked tobacco and thus recognized the potential of the plants. The majority of the aborigines died in the following years after being discovered due to wars and introduced diseases. (see solidarity 2018, 01: 00-02)

The article was written by Ioannis Tekeoglou, Philipp Müller

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