Agüeybaná El Bravo is a stone statue to the memory of Agüeybaná II, a Taíno cacique in Puerto Rico, for his bravery in fighting the Spanish invaders during the sixteenth century. It is located at Plaza Agüeybaná El Bravo in Barrio Playa, at the southeast corner of the intersection of PR-2/Ponce Bypass and Avenida Hostos, just south of sector Caracoles in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
Background
Agüeybaná El Bravo (English: Agüeybaná The Brave) [c. 14701511], also known as Agüeybaná II, was one of the two principal and most powerful caciques of the Taíno people in "Borikén" when the Spaniards first arrived in Puerto Rico on 19 November 1493. Agüeybaná II led the Taínos of Puerto Rico in the Battle of Yagüecas, also known as the "Taíno rebellion of 1511" against Juan Ponce de León and the Spanish Conquistadors.La Rebelión del Cacique Agüeybaná II. "En Marcha: Organo del Comite Central del Partido Comunista Maxista Leninista de Ecuador." Seccion: Testimonio y Dialéctica. 8 May 2006. Page 1. Retrieved 14 July 2011. It was the last Taíno rebellion against the Spanish Conquistadores, and Agüeybaná II was killed during the battle. In a show of solidarity with the Taino cacique Agueybana, every November during the day when others are celebrating Columbus Day, supporters of Agueybana and the Taino tradition gather near the statue for Taino songs, music, dances, food and presentations.Resaltan figura de Agueybaná El Bravo: Aprovechan el día para recordar la gesta del cacique taíno. El Nuevo Dia. Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. 19 November 2011. Accessed 24 July 2017.Homenaje Agueybana El Bravo en Ponce. Yarisina Sierra. Confederacion Unida de el Pueblo Taino. 8 November 2013. Accessed 23 July 2017.
Description The statue is located in Barrio Playa, across the "Caracoles" sector of Barrio San Anton, in Ponce, Puerto Rico, at a small park also named after him. According to historian Jalil Sued Badillo, the location where the statue currently stands was the home of the former grand cacique.Office of Cultural Affairs. Municipality of Ponce. October 2008. Ponce, Puerto Rico. The statue was installed during the administration of Mayor Francisco Zayas Seijo. The statue was created in Mexico by order of former Ponce Mayor Rafael Cordero Santiago, but remained unveiled until October 2008.Agueybaná regresa a su tierra. Jalil Sued Badillo. Confederacion Unida de El Pueblo Taino. 22 December 2009. Accessed 23 July 2017. In a show of solidarity with Agüeybaná El Bravo, every November on the day when others are celebrating Columbus Day, supporters of Agueybana and the Taíno tradition gather near the statue for Taíno songs, music, dances, food and presentations.Homenaje Agueybana El Bravo en Ponce. Yarisina Sierra. Confederacion Unida de el Pueblo Taino. 8 November 2013. Accessed 23 July 2017.
References
External links
Estructuras y Monumentos en Puerto Rico. Agüeybaná el bravo: La recuperación de un símbolo. Jalil Sued Badillo. San Juan, P.R.: Ediciones Puerto, 2008.