Casa del Cordón Museum celebrates Taíno heritage in Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo.- The Casa del Cordón, a historic site in Santo Domingo, now hosts a museum celebrating pre-Hispanic culture, focusing on the Taíno people and earlier indigenous groups. The exhibit, supported by the Manuel García Arévalo Foundation and Banco Popular Dominicano, features 350 artifacts, including a rare bone cohoba inhaler and a large wooden cemí, representing Taíno deities. Visitors can explore ceremonial items, agricultural tools, and burial recreations, offering a comprehensive look at the Taíno way of life.

The museum also highlights the integration of Taíno and Spanish cultures, tracing over 4,000 years of indigenous presence on the island. Artifacts from archaic groups, such as stone axes, demonstrate early survival techniques, while the fusion of Taíno customs with European practices birthed a unique Creole culture. Words like “canoe,” “hurricane,” and “barbecue” underscore the enduring Taíno influence on language and society.

Modern museography enhances the visitor experience with detailed illustrations, audiovisuals, and ethnographic accuracy. Located in Santo Domingo’s colonial city, the museum enriches cultural tourism and preserves the legacy of the island’s first inhabitants. With 3,000 visitors in its first month, the center aims to promote Dominican heritage and cultural exchange.