Encounters Unforeseen- 1492 Retold by Andrew Rowen

Author:Andrew Rowen [Rowen, Andrew]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780999196113
Publisher: All Persons Press
Published: 2017-09-14T23:00:00+00:00

IX

CUBA

TO CUEIBA (AT BAHÍA DE GIBARA) AND WEST,

October 26–November 11, 1492

At sunset on October 26, Bakako and Yutowa sat at Admiral’s feet next to the page Pedro and servant Juan, studying a chain of low, scruffy islands and reefs to starboard. Admiral sat on his duho. The steward Pedro stood at the rail and asked Bakako, “What’s the name for these islands?”

“Utiaquia (Ragged Islands),” Bakako replied. He continued slowly in Castilian. “One, two days Cuba.” He thought and clarified. “Canoa.”

Cristóbal noted the statement of duration and understanding of speed and distance and appreciated Bakako’s civility and intellect. The boy appeared to be learning his role, perhaps accepting his fate.

Bakako and Yutowa remained naked, and Cristóbal didn’t insist otherwise. The two Pedros had offered them shirts and pants, and they had found them physically comfortable to wear. But they weren’t pleased to do so because hiding one’s body was not the custom of their people, and they viewed it an embarrassment. The crews continued to wear their wool shirts and pants day and night regardless of the heat, often for protection from the sun and wind but otherwise in accordance with Hispanic custom.

Cristóbal addressed Bakako in words and gestures. “When we arrive at Cuba, you will speak for us. You will tell the people we are good. You will say we harm no one. You will say we just trade for gold.” He pointed to Bakako, toward Cuba, and to himself and his gold piece, and then signaled using his hands and fingers that Bakako would walk ashore in Cuba to vouch that Admiral and his men wanted gold in peace.

Cristóbal convened the Santa María’s crew for evening hymn. He named the islands to starboard the Islas de Arenas and the crew sang “Salve Regina.” Bakako and Yutowa sang in Castilian, parroting the words and mimicking young Pedro as he gazed upward to conjure the heavens. Bakako now understood the areítos invoked the captors’ spirits—Lord, Christ, and Virgin—and the cemí shaped as a cross. He perceived that Admiral consulted these spirits often and reverently. He sensed that young Pedro was not so worshipful and that Juan participated in invocations only perfunctorily, perhaps to mimic Admiral just as Bakako.

On October 28, the ships reached Cuba, and Cristóbal debarked at a river mouth to possess the territory, naming it Juana in honor of the prince. But the inhabitants fled.

Cristóbal was captivated by the territory’s hills and mountains, which reminded him of Sicily, and the herbage on the beach close to the surf, indicating calm seas. He observed the palm trees had larger leaves than those in Guinea. Bakako and Yutowa explained that Cuba was an island, and Cristóbal was impressed that the river mouth could serve as an excellent port. He searched for where the Grand Khan’s ships anchored to trade and suspected it was but ten days’ sail to the mainland.

Following the Guanahaníans’ suggestion, the ships sailed west to locate the territory’s king, eventually anchoring at another river. Cristóbal named it Río de Mares (Río e Bahía de Gibara) and dispatched a launch with Bakako at the bow.

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