Mestizos and Zambos of San Juan de la Maguana

While perusing Exquemelin on the boucaniers, we came across another reference to Indians, mestizos and zambos in 17th century Hispaniola. According to Exquemelin, St. John of Goave, presumably San Juan de la Maguana, was a village with a mixed-race population of mulatos, mestizos and zambos. Instead of zambo, Exquemelin uses the word alcatraz, the first time we have encountered that term for people of African and indigenous ancestry. While too brief to be very useful, this mention of people of indigenous ancestry in the 2nd half of the 17th century demonstrates Taino survival well into the colonial era. It may also contribute to our understanding of the belief in Indian spirits and Taino customs evident in modern Dominican belief and spirituality in the area of San Juan de la Maguana.