Juan J. Torres Shares The Art of Traditional Taino Bow Making

Juan J. Torres, Taino Bow Master

I happened to come across Juan J. Torres as he was packing his bows and arrows and arrow launchers to head back to Ciales, Puerto Rico after a two-year stint on St. Croix. Curiosity got the best of me so I asked why so many bows and arrows. To my delight, I discovered that Juan is one of the two Taino Bow makers in the Caribbean. Juan’s studies started with a Degree in Agronomy. Due to a minor confrontation with a lecturer at the University in Puerto Rico, he then added Archeology to his program. His mother, a history teacher, influenced his love of history so adding another degree to something he loved was inevitable.

December 20, 2020

Bow History in the Caribbean

Traditional Taino bow making uses the local trees, grasses, and feathers. The Taino word for the bow is baira and arrow birigua. In the Caribbean, there have been discoveries of bow and arrows & arrow launchers dating back to the Pre-Columbian era. It was an arrow dipped in Manchineel extract shot by a Female Taino warrior that was the demise of one of Columbus’ captains as he tried to enter Salt River on St. Croix.

He shares his ancestral connection and the discipline of bow making. “It is very time-consuming yet a very spiritual experience crafting a bow,” Juan stressed. You go through all the emotions, and judgment of yourself and sometimes you may have to start over”. He reminisced about the times in his childhood where he was given a bow and arrows instead of toys and every time he broke one they gave him another.

Using local supplies

The advantage of Traditional Taino bow making in the Caribbean is the use of local trees, grasses, and feathers. Imagine making arrows from special grass or having them yellow because of the natural wood. The most popular wood for bow making is Lignum vitae which is a durable and dense hardwood found on the island. Feathers are also a key part of the arrows for balance. Creating an arrow launcher was simple by using sharpening shells

Sharing the knowledge.

Not everyone has had the luxury of growing up in a small Taino village and learning the way of the land but Juan hopes to continue to share the knowledge from his Taino Ancestors with many children. The artistry is a part of it but there are the life lessons that are most important. He spoke about not using the bow to kill what you do not eat. He continues to share his passion for archery with many students. You can find more info on Juan Torres at https://www.facebook.com/maketaurie
Email: Maketaurie77@gmail.com