Conquest and Colonization: the birth and evolution of the puertorrican nationMuseo de Las Américas
The vestibule, with murals of indigenous peoples on a blue background that reminds us of the immensity of the ocean that separated Europe from the New World, introduces us to the world that Columbus arrived in, a world inhabited for millennia, unknown to the Europeans.
The indigenes that ethnographers call "archaic peoples" -hunter gatherers- had arrived in the Antilles at a time calculated to be between 5,000 and 2,000 BCE. The Arawaks arrived in about 500 BCE, and the Taínos, almost a thousand years later, in about 400 CE.
Ten centuries later, the Europeans came on the scene, changing forever the life of the "Indians," the landscape, and the region's demography.
Navigation instruments
A display case with instruments used at that time explains to us, without the need for many words, the advances that made possible journeys like Columbus'.
Ancient knowledge
It is curious that the astrolabe dates to about the second century, or even before, and Arab sailors had been using it since the eighth century, but it was introduced in Europe in only the twelfth century. This instrument helps determine the position of a ship.
Conquest and Colonization: the birth and evolution of the puertorrican nation 2Museo de Las Américas
Spaniard settlement
This first gallery speaks of the initial conditions of colonization and the settlements that led to the birth of a hybrid culture arising out of a fusion of races, languages, and traditions -not without a large dose of violence in the process.
A large and imposing suit of armor, a symbol of the strength and power used to overpower the native peoples.
Conquest and Colonization: the birth and evolution of the puertorrican nation 3Museo de Las Américas
A large image of Our Lady of Monserrat, the "Black Madonna;" presides over this space, whose atmosphere is determined not just by the niche in which this image is set but also by music, the Gregorian chants that remind visitors of the rites of the Catholic Church.
An important element of Western culture arrived in Puerto Rico with the Church, which evolved here in a particular way.
The "miracle of Hormigueros" attributed to Our Lady of Monserrat in 1590, consisted of the Virgin's saving a countryman of that town, Giraldo González, from being gored by a bull.
Gonzalez appealed to Our Lady of Monserrat (the patron saint of Catalonia, brought to Puerto Rico with the Spanish settlers) and when the bull heard the name of the Virgin, it fell to its knees.
And so the criollo society came under the patronage of a particular manifestation of the Virgin Mary, one particularly appropriate, perhaps, for her being black.
The influence of religion in the formation of the Puerto Rican nation and its cultural development.
Indoctrination of the island
In the eighteenth century, the city of San Juan became interested in establishing an educational system independent of the Catholic Church.
Conquest and Colonization: the birth and evolution of the puertorrican nation 4Museo de Las Américas
Educational and cultural development of the Spanish colony
Developments in singing and instrumental music, the visual arts, and military and religious architecture
The other part of the gallery is dedicated to the educational and cultural development of the Spanish colony. Here, too, we find revelations, especially in the texts relating to education.
Alonso Manso, the first bishop sent to the New World and prelate of the diocese of Puerto Rico, arrived in 1512 with a chest containing 23 books, which formed the basis of the bishop's library.
In the seventeenth century, the educational work of Dominican friar Jorge Cambero was very important in revitalizing university-level studies, which had been introduced in the sixteenth century at the Dominican Convent.
Art and architecture
Architectural elements in the Spanish Caribbean during this period is demonstrated through two innovative prefabricated products: decorative hydraulic mosaic cemcement tiles and textured-face concrete blocks.
Conquest and Colonization: the birth and evolution of the puertorrican nation 5Museo de Las Américas
A history of invasion
In the center of the fourth gallery are some small cannons, and display cases contain cavalry gear: a mail doublet, stirrups, swords. All these things tell a story that we think we know, but may not.
Anyone can name several attacks by corsairs and enemy powers against Puerto Rico during the first centuries of the colony, including attacks by Sir Francis Drake in 1595, George Clifford, Earl of Cumberland in 1598, Boudewijn Hendrijks in 1625, and Sir Ralph Abercromby in 1797.
Conquest and Colonization: the birth and evolution of the puertorrican nation 5Museo de Las Américas
The last invasion of the island took place in 1898, when one colonial power was supplanted by another after the U.S. defeat
Like all national histories, the history of Puerto Rico, as told in the permanent exhibit "Conquest and Colonization, has both bright spots and dark. It is a history of poverty and suffering and persistence despite all, but also of bravery and creativity.
Texts by Carmen Dolores Hernadez, writer, literary critic, columnist and professor.
