Who were the indigenous people of the Caribbean before European contact?

The indigenous people of the Caribbean before European contact primarily included the Taíno and Carib peoples. The Taíno were the most prominent group, inhabiting many of the Greater Antilles, including modern-day Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Hispaniola. They had established complex societies with agriculture, fishing, and intricate social structures, as well as a rich cultural life expressed through religion and art.

The Caribs, on the other hand, were known for their more migratory lifestyle and occupied areas in the Lesser Antilles. They were recognized for their resistance to European colonization and their warrior culture.

The other options represent groups that either referred to different regions or did not primarily inhabit the Caribbean at the time of European contact. For instance, the Incas and Aztecs were located in South and Central America, respectively, while the Arawaks refer to a broader group of Indigenous peoples that encompasses the Taíno but is less specific in the context of this question. The Iroquois were located in North America and were not part of the Caribbean indigenous population. Therefore, focusing on the Taíno and Caribs provides a clear and accurate depiction of the primary indigenous peoples of the Caribbean prior to European arrival.