 |
| gold coins of Venezuela |
 |
| Venezuelan Gold Coins |
Obverse: Head of Chief Mara facing 3/4 right.
Legend: CACIQUES DE VENEZUELA / MARACAIBO - PERIJA / MARA
Reverse: Nine arrows in saltire behind inscriptions.
Lgend: CACIQUES DE VENEZUELA / SIGLO XVI / LEY 900 / MARACAIBO - PERIJA / MARA
Legend: ACUNADA EN CARACAS
Reference: Friedberg -, KMX#MB-124.
Mint: Numismatica Universal (Venezuela)
Diameter: 13 mm
Weight: 1.47 gram of Gold (.900)
CACIQUE, also cassique in archaic English, is a title derived from the Taíno word for the pre-Columbian chiefs or leaders of tribes in the Bahamas, Greater Antilles, and the northern Lesser Antilles. The Spanish, subsequent to encounters with the Taíno upon their arrival in the New World, used the word as a title for the leaders of the other indigenous tribes they encountered in the Western Hemisphere territories they occupied. In the Spanish language, both in Spain and Latin America, the term has come to mean a local political boss who exercises significant power. The derivative term "Caciquismo" has been used to describe a democratic system subverted by the power of such local bosses successfully influencing the electoral process in their favour. It has been used most notably to refer to late nineteenth century Spain and twentieth century Mexico.
The term is also used in the Portuguese language to describe the leaders of indigenous communities in Brazil. It is also frequently used in Portugal to describe how certain influential and well known students use their powerful social character to influence student body elections in the student movement in Portugal's major universities.
In the Taíno culture, the cacique rank was apparently established through democratic means. His importance in the tribe was determined by the size of his tribe rather than his warlord skills, since the Taínos were mostly a pacifist culture. They also enjoyed several privileges for their standing: they lived in a larger rectangular hut in the center of the village and had a special sitting place for the areytos (ceremonial dances) and the ceremonial ball game.