Anthem of the Taíno Resurgence: Naboria Daca Ae Mayanimacaná

What might be called the unofficial “anthem” of the Taíno indigenous resurgence is the beautiful, moving song by Juan Luis Guerra of the Dominican Republic, sung in the Taíno language, titled Naboria Daca Ae Mayanimacaná. The song comes from his 1992 album, Areito, which refers to Taíno dance, an album that featured a number of anti-colonial and anti-capitalist hits, earning it the distinction of being banned in several countries that were fearful of publicizing music with allegedly “anti-American” messages (just in case there was anyone left who still maintained the illusion that empire and democracy can go hand in hand).

The words (courtesy of Guacara Dreamtime) follow the song, I added the English translation in place of the Spanish translation.

Taíno lyrics:

Naboria daca ae
mayanimacaná
naboria daca
guaitiao
mayanimacaná
naboria daca eo

Naboria daca ae
naboria daca eo
a mayanimacaná
naboria daca ae
naboria daca eo
a mayanimacaná
naboria daca ae
naboria daca eo

naboria daca eo
naboria daca eo
mayani mayanimacaná
naboria daca eo
naboria daca eo

Calichi
guarico guakía
calichi
guariquén
machichi
mayanimacaná
machichi
yu
peiti
ris
Naboria daca, mayanimacaná, mayanimacaná,
mayanimacaná!
naboria daca eo

machichi
mayanimacaná
machichi
yu
peiti
ris
Naboria daca, mayanimacaná, mayanimacaná,
mayanimacaná!
naboria daca eo

English lyrics:

I am a servant
don’t kill me
I am a servant
your blood brother
don’t kill me
I am a servant
I am a servant
don’t kill me
I am a servant
Stream from the high mounatin
Come to us
Stream from the high mounatin
Look, come and see
my heart
don’t kill me
my heart
white
black
red
I am a servant
don’t kill me,
don’t kill me
don’t kill me!