Over at one of the other blogs for which I write occasionally, The CAC Review, you can read a story of how a dealer wrote to me (oddly enough in my capacity as the current, soon to be former, editor of Kacike) advertising various Taino artifacts for sale that were removed from the Dominican Republic, illegally. A collaborator and comrade indicated that this would be just a tiny fragment of what has been seized. Images of the stolen items are shown in that post. It is saddening to see foreign raiders continuing to plunder the Caribbean across the centuries, as if it were something lying in wait to be raped.
On that same blog, see another post for this week, which outlines other attempts at raiding the Caribbean, such as the mega tourist project planned for the Honduran Garifuna’s “wasted” beaches.
Clearly, not all Europeans take pleasure in conquest: a dozen Italian, pro-indigenous, organizations are undoing the “legacy” of Christopher Columbus from the very centre, with a campaign starting in Genoa itself, lobbying the Italian Parliament to make October 11 a day of remembrance of the genocide of indigenous peoples. That day is the day before “Columbus Day.” This should send one signal to some wayward Italo-American ethnic politicians who have invented “Columbus Day” as a statement of Italian pride: it is not, and please stop acting in our names.
ZERO ANTHROPOLOGY 
Bernard
every item showed are not authentic
Maximilian Forte
That is a good point, that others have made to me privately. Some of these items are not Taino artifacts.
Enrique
These items are subject crafts for tourists and are not archaeological. Needless to move heaven and earth. Just about civilization and symbols to see
Enrique
I know these small shops fair trade that perpetuate the skills of their ancestors.
To say that these objects are stolen from their seriously damaged as it is with this gift they feed their families, send their children to school and struggling against all the vices they face. Enrique
Enrique
The Taino Indians and Caribbean Arawaks have never used this type pestle in a stone that seems too soft. We never found such ceremonial axes, stone or inhalers. These are mainly made from bones of chicken or goat. Avce such allegations, tourists will no longer trust the artists of Caribbean regions. It’s a shame
Anthony Ghilione
Mr Maximilian Forte,
How is it possible that you did not see that those Taino articraft modern made…?
There is so much to say and to discover about the Tainos that a coopération is necessary between collectors and scientist….I personnally know a collector who will donate most of his pieces to museums…
I believe that most of the Tainos articrafts who are now in private collection will end up in museums..
An agressive attitude will stop any donator and the public will never have the chance to see the beauty of this art…
Regards.
Anthony
indigene21
These items are not archeology so how do you assume your comments and messages when speaking of stolen? Have not you ashamed of your ignorance and treat people thieves?
Maximilian Forte
You are being a thief in the very act of calling yourself “indigene” when you are a white Frenchman. How’s that for starters? This is not the only time you have appeared on my blogs, claiming a false indigenous identity. These items may indeed be fakes, however, they were personally marketed to me as “Taino artifacts” — not my invention, not my problem.
Would you care to continue your many months of pointless complaint?
Casey
fuck the spaniards…Dr is such a beautiful country..my family owns 1000’s of acres and the govt now wants to buy some of it and we are never going to sell..it will always saty in the family…i dont trust any govt especially the US govt…anyway…im out of here..