| Ocean Point Condominiums History of Loiza |
| Loiza (loo-EE-zah) Loíza is known as "El Pueblo de la Cacica". Loíza was proclaimed a town officially in 1692 and named in honor of Yuisa or Luisa, one of the women caciques on the island when the Spanish conquerors arrived. Settled by Nigerian slaves of the Yoruba tribe in the 16th century, Loíza is a center for African-inspired traditions, retaining one of the highest percentages of African descendants of all island towns. Among those traditions Loíza celebrates the "Fiestas Patronales" where salsa dancing, masquerades, colorful parades and rich Puerto Rican food make this festival a classic. The nine days of this carnival pay homage to Loízas patron saint, St. James. Loíza is a great place to sample the Puerto Rican variety of Afro-Caribbean cuisine. Its San Patricio Church (begun in 1645) is the oldest on the island still active as a parish church. Loíza is located in the northeastern coast, north of Canóvanas; east of Carolina; and west of Río Grande. The surrounding areas produces sugar cane, fruits, and coconuts. There are many well-known "loiceños", among them: Ramón Suarez and Belen Zequeria de Cuevas. **************************** |
The Legends of Loiza are many but perhaps the most
popular one is about the only female Taino Cacique (
chief) named Yuiza ( Yuisa, Loaiza, Luisa, Loiza). Of all
the Taino Chiefs of the Caribbean there were only two
who were women, only one in Boriken ( Puerto Rico).
When the Spanish Conquistadores invaded Puerto Rico
and enslaved the Taino Indians the indians resisted.
They never adapted to slavery, most of the Taino men
were killed. Many of the women lived on as wives of
the spanish sailors. Legend has it (that to protect her
people) Yuiza became the lover of mulatto conquistador
Pedro Mejias and because of this she was killed by
other Taino Caciques ( who felt she was a traitor to
have been with a spaniard). She actually was a hero and
greatly admired by her own tribal people, even today.
This may be the legend that gives meaning to the mix in
Loiza of black Africans and Taino Indian, or it may, in
fact be a historical truth. In actual fact, there are no
historical documents to prove this, her marriage with
Mejias.
popular one is about the only female Taino Cacique (
chief) named Yuiza ( Yuisa, Loaiza, Luisa, Loiza). Of all
the Taino Chiefs of the Caribbean there were only two
who were women, only one in Boriken ( Puerto Rico).
When the Spanish Conquistadores invaded Puerto Rico
and enslaved the Taino Indians the indians resisted.
They never adapted to slavery, most of the Taino men
were killed. Many of the women lived on as wives of
the spanish sailors. Legend has it (that to protect her
people) Yuiza became the lover of mulatto conquistador
Pedro Mejias and because of this she was killed by
other Taino Caciques ( who felt she was a traitor to
have been with a spaniard). She actually was a hero and
greatly admired by her own tribal people, even today.
This may be the legend that gives meaning to the mix in
Loiza of black Africans and Taino Indian, or it may, in
fact be a historical truth. In actual fact, there are no
historical documents to prove this, her marriage with
Mejias.
| Cacique Yuiza |
History records show that the colonial government of Puerto Rico, by a crown decree from Spain in
the 1600's, was instructed to place runaway slaves from the British colonies in what is today Loiza
Aldea. This area was chosen by the Crown because it was the weakest flank of defense of the island,
and they hoped that the freed slaves would help defend the island against British invaders. It is said that
the majority of these Africans were from Nigeria.
Somewhat inexplicable would be the great quantity of fishermen among the people of Loiza Aldea.
Fishing by escaped slaves was considered an aberration because slaves were traditionally taught a fear
of the sea as a way to keep them enslaved. Historians argue that the Africans of Loiza developed their
fishing skills through direct contact with the Tainos of Puerto Rico. The presence of Amerindian
mtDNA in Loiza, supports this hypothesis. Loiza is populated by the largest community of African
descendents on the island of Puerto Rico
the 1600's, was instructed to place runaway slaves from the British colonies in what is today Loiza
Aldea. This area was chosen by the Crown because it was the weakest flank of defense of the island,
and they hoped that the freed slaves would help defend the island against British invaders. It is said that
the majority of these Africans were from Nigeria.
Somewhat inexplicable would be the great quantity of fishermen among the people of Loiza Aldea.
Fishing by escaped slaves was considered an aberration because slaves were traditionally taught a fear
of the sea as a way to keep them enslaved. Historians argue that the Africans of Loiza developed their
fishing skills through direct contact with the Tainos of Puerto Rico. The presence of Amerindian
mtDNA in Loiza, supports this hypothesis. Loiza is populated by the largest community of African
descendents on the island of Puerto Rico
In later years Inigo Lopez de Cervantes y Loayza, a prestigious Spaniard, had great extensions of land in
this region. His second last name could have been used to name this territory.
Foundation: In 1692 Loiza was appointed as an urban section because it had approximately 100 houses
and 1,146 inhabitants. In the year 1719 the Spanish government recognized its importance by declaring
it an official town. Its founder was Gaspar de Arredondo. It wasn't declared a municipality until August
16, 1970.
The Catholic congregation of Loiza is the oldest established congregation in Puerto Rico. The church
has been rebuilt, but is still significantly old.
" . . The legend is that the name Loiza was that of a Taino woman, Chief Loiza or Yuisa, who governed
a territory called Jaymanio in the margins of the Cayrabon river now named the Rio Grande de Loiza."
. . . let us stick to the legend of this stately Taino Chief, Yuiza. In 1972 an artist from Loiza had a vision
in which Loaiza came to her. She ( Lolita Cuevas) painted her vision in the dark at 2 am. Loaiza spoke
to her and asked her to paint her but said she would not return. This drawing now hangs in City Hall in
Loiza.
this region. His second last name could have been used to name this territory.
Foundation: In 1692 Loiza was appointed as an urban section because it had approximately 100 houses
and 1,146 inhabitants. In the year 1719 the Spanish government recognized its importance by declaring
it an official town. Its founder was Gaspar de Arredondo. It wasn't declared a municipality until August
16, 1970.
The Catholic congregation of Loiza is the oldest established congregation in Puerto Rico. The church
has been rebuilt, but is still significantly old.
" . . The legend is that the name Loiza was that of a Taino woman, Chief Loiza or Yuisa, who governed
a territory called Jaymanio in the margins of the Cayrabon river now named the Rio Grande de Loiza."
. . . let us stick to the legend of this stately Taino Chief, Yuiza. In 1972 an artist from Loiza had a vision
in which Loaiza came to her. She ( Lolita Cuevas) painted her vision in the dark at 2 am. Loaiza spoke
to her and asked her to paint her but said she would not return. This drawing now hangs in City Hall in
Loiza.
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