Historical Figures · 21st Century
Chief Hatuey’s Last Words
“I have lived my truth.”— Chief Hatuey, Unknown
Who Was Chief Hatuey?
Hatuey, also Hatüey, was a Taíno Cacique (chief) of the Hispaniolan cacicazgo of Guanaba. He lived from the late 15th until the early 16th century. Chief Hatuey and many of his tribesmen travelled from present-day La Gonave by canoe to Cuba to warn the Indigenous people in Cuba about the Spaniards that were arriving to conquer the island.
The Final Moments
The circumstances surrounding Chief Hatuey's final moments are not fully documented in available historical records.
Are These Words Verified?
Chief Hatuey was burned at the stake by Spanish in 1512, not natural causes. The quoted 'I have lived my truth' is fabricated; Las Casas recorded Hatuey rejecting Christian heaven, but exact words are disputed and translated.
Sources
- firsthand Bartolomé de las Casas writings
- archive Historia de las Indias
Legacy
Chief Hatuey's story continues to be discussed by historians and enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Chief Hatuey’s last words?
“I have lived my truth.”
How did Chief Hatuey die?
Chief Hatuey died on Unknown. Cause of death: Natural Causes.
Were Chief Hatuey’s last words documented?
Chief Hatuey was burned at the stake by Spanish in 1512, not natural causes. The quoted 'I have lived my truth' is fabricated; Las Casas recorded Hatuey rejecting Christian heaven, but exact words are disputed and translated.
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