Jayuya is a municipality of Puerto Rico located in the mountainous center region of the island, north of Ponce; east of Utuado; and west of Ciales. Jayuya is spread over 18 wards and Jayuya Pueblo (The downtown area and the administrative center of the city).
It is named after the Taino Cacique Hayuya. Jayuya is known for its skilled wood carvers. Among its monuments are the Catholic church, the statue of Nemesio R. Canales and the bust of the Indian leader Jayuya, by the Puerto Rican sculptor Tomás Batista.
History
The town of Jayuya was founded in 1911, but history traces people living in the region as far back as 1878. At that time, a small community was established there, separated from the larger cities of the coasts with little to no communication. Near the end of the 19th Century, the town focused on the production of coffee, which greatly boosted the local economy. In 1911, the town was officially declared a municipality with a population of more than 9,000.
In 1950, the town was the setting of what was known as the Jayuya Uprising, where nationalists started a revolt against the Government of the United States led by Social Worker Blanca Canales Torresola and her cousins Elio and Doris Torresola.
Flag
The flag is rectangular in shape and derives its symbolism from the Coat of Arms.
Coat of Arms
Above the shield a three tower crown, standard for municipalities. Inside the shield centered at the top a Taíno crown, that is a generic symbol representing Chief Hayuya's monarchy. In the center a green band with a white border representing the Tres Picachos (Three Peaks), the green color of the countryside and the town's matron, La Virgen de la Monserrate. At the bottom, Jayuya's Sun, Taíno hand carving found only in Jayuya.
Demographics
Barrios (Districts/Wards)
- Coabey
- Collores
- Jauca
- Jayuya Abajo
- Mameyes Arriba
- Pica
- Río Grande
- Saliente
- Veguitas
Geo/Topography
- Toro Negro Forest
- Cerro de Punta the highest mountain of Puerto Rico with 1,338.0 meters / 4,369 feet.
- Rio Grande de Jayuya with its afluents, the Saliente, Salientito, Zamas, Caricaboa, Veguitas & Jauca
- Naranjito River
- Yunes River
Economic
Agriculture
Agriculture (vegetables, coffee & cattle), handmade artifacts and tourism.
Business
handmade artifacts
Tourism
Jayuya has a great tourist appeal due to its natural environment.
Landmarks and places of interest
- Casa Canales Museum
- Cerro de Punta - the island's highest peak
- Chief Hayuya Monument
- El Buren Restaurant
- El Cemí Museum
- Hacienda Gripiñas
- La Piedra Escrita (Written Stone)- which is a large stone in a river which was written and carved on by the indigenous Taino tribe which resided in Jayuya and the site is also a recreation area.
- Los Tres Picachos
- Nemesio Canales Museum
- Taíno Tomb
- Toro Negro Forest
Festivals and events
- Three Kings Day - January
- Tomato Festival - February
- La Monserrate Marathon - September
- Patron Celebrations- September
- Nacional Indian Festival - Noviembre
- Magic Forest - December
Notable "Jayuyanos"
- Carlos Orama Padilla - Poet
- Nemesio R. Canales - Lawyer, writer y humorist.
Jayuya, Puerto Rico. (2006, October 3). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 18:46, October 26, 2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jayuya%2C_Puerto_Rico&oldid=79338662
