c.

c. AD 1200 – 1500 (Theory): Keegan and Hofman argue that the “Carib” and “Taíno” labels are colonial constructs that obscure the actual interactive mosaic of pre-Columbian Caribbean societies. They suggest the Spanish utilized the narrative of “man-eating Caribs” as a legal and moral justification to enslave groups who resisted colonial authority, effectively creating a “useful” dichotomy for the crown. In reality, archaeological and linguistic evidence points to a pluriform set of mutually influencing traits and a shared “Carib pidgin” that facilitated communication across diverse communities. This theoretical shift away from rigid historical categories allows for a more nuanced understanding of the social and political configurations that existed at the time of encounter.