From which region is it believed the Arawaks migrated?

From which region is it believed the Arawaks migrated?

• A. Africa
• B. Europe
• C. Asia
• D. South America

Answer: (C)

The Arawaks are believed to have originated in the northern part of South America, specifically the Orinoco basin. From there, groups moved north and east into the Caribbean islands many centuries before Europeans arrived, leading to Arawakan-speaking communities like the Taíno on Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, and other Caribbean islands. This eastward migration explains their presence in the Caribbean well before contact with Europeans, and linguistic and archaeological evidence supports a South American origin rather than inputs from Africa, Europe, or Asia.

The Arawaks are believed to have originated in the northern part of South America, specifically the Orinoco basin. From there, groups moved north and east into the Caribbean islands many centuries before Europeans arrived, leading to Arawakan-speaking communities like the Taíno on Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, and other Caribbean islands. This eastward migration explains their presence in the Caribbean well before contact with Europeans, and linguistic and archaeological evidence supports a South American origin rather than inputs from Africa, Europe, or Asia.