What does the term Arawak mean?

• A. People of the Sea
• B. Eaters of Meal
• C. Warriors of the Island
• D. Traders of Rice

Answer: (B)

Names given to indigenous groups often come from outsiders describing what they ate, where they lived, or how they were seen. The term Arawak is used for a broad family of peoples in the Caribbean and nearby regions. In some educational sources, the word is linked to the idea of “eaters of meal,” reflecting their reliance on staple foods like cassava and maize for their meals. That makes the option describing “eaters of meal” the best fit among the choices, because it ties the name to a common way people described daily life around food.

The other options don’t align with how the name is used. Arawak groups were primarily agricultural and known for their food crops rather than a seafaring reputation, so “People of the Sea” isn’t a typical meaning. They weren’t defined by warfare, so “Warriors of the Island” isn’t a typical interpretation either. And while trade existed, “Traders of Rice” doesn’t capture how the name Arawak is generally treated in introductory material.