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The Island Carib were an Indigenous American people who lived in the Lesser Antilles and along the South American coast at the time of the Spanish conquest. Their name gave rise to the Caribbean Sea, and their Arawakan equivalent is the origin of the English word "cannibal".1

The Island Carib were known for being warlike and were alleged to practice cannibalism. They were skilled navigators who conducted raids in large dugout canoes. Warfare was a primary interest, with men striving to be individualistic warriors. Uniquely, the men spoke the Carib language, while the women spoke Arawak, as women were often captives from raids.1

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. Island Carib
  2. Carib

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