Anacaona
| Anacaona | |
|---|---|
Anacaona | |
| Cacica of Xaragua | |
| Reign | ?–1503 |
| Predecessor | Bohechío (cacique) |
| Born | 1474 Yaguana, Jaragua (present-day Léogâne, Haiti) |
| Died | c. 1504 (aged c. 30) Hispaniola |
| Cause of death | Hanging |
| Spouse | Caonabo |
Anacaona (1474?–1504), or Golden Flower, was a Taíno cacica, or female cacique (chief), religious expert, poet and composer born in Xaragua. Before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492, bohio or babeque to the Taínos (the Spaniards named it La Española, i.e., Hispaniola — now known as the Dominican Republic and Haiti) was divided into five kingdoms, i.e., Xaragua, Maguana, Higüey, Maguá, and Marién. Anacaona was born into a family of caciques. She was the sister of Bohechío, the ruler of Xaragua.
She succeeded Bohechío as cacica after his death.
In 1503, Nicolás Ovando, the governor of the island, visited Xaragua. He suspected an insurrection was brewing among the Taíno chiefs, including Anacaona, presently in the kingdom. Ovando gave the order for the caciques to be captured and burned. Anacaona was hanged.