cacique
/kaˈθike/
The Spanish word cacique refers to a tribal chief in the Spanish West Indies.
The term cacique is used in Latin America to refer to a local chief or leader, particularly in indigenous communities.
Meaning: tribal chief in the Spanish West Indies (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Maya communities, the term ajaw may be used instead of cacique to align with cultural practices.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaˈθike/
Did you know?
- The word cacique is a linguistic remnant of the Taíno language, one of the first indigenous tongues encountered by Europeans in the Caribbean.
- In modern political Spanish, caciquismo describes a system where a local boss controls the votes and politics of a town through influence and patronage.
- The word cacique is used in some Spanish-speaking regions to describe any bossy or domineering person, regardless of their actual rank or ethnicity.
Examples in context
- El cacique lideraba a su pueblo con sabiduría.The chief led his people with wisdom.
- Los historiadores estudian la vida del cacique.Historians study the life of the chief.
- El cacique recibió a los exploradores en la costa.The chief received the explorers on the coast.
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are looking at an old history book in a library.
- Sofía¿Quién es este hombre en el dibujo?Who is this man in the drawing?
- MateoEs un cacique de las Antillas.He is a chief from the West Indies.
- SofíaSu historia parece muy interesante.His story seems very interesting.
- MateoSí, el cacique era muy poderoso.Yes, the chief was very powerful.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cacique, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cacique, CC BY-SA 4.0.
