Daka Archive is an inmersive digital archive experience that collects Taíno culture and history through the use of 3D animations, storytelling, and archiving techniques. The project aims to bring attention to the enduring strength of marginalised narratives, challenge historical accounts, and counteract the erasure of indigenous heritage in the Caribbean. Each entry within the archive enables exploration and documentation of the nuances of Taíno culture that may have been overlooked or lost due to colonialism’s adverse impacts. The term “Daka” means “I am” in the Taíno language. It symbolises a declaration of presence and agency.
Daka Archive is designed as an immersive cave inspired by Cueva de las Maravillas in the Dominican Republic due to its significance as a refuge and home for the Taíno people, housing their art and pictographs. It’s influenced by concepts such as indigenous futurism, decolonization theory, collective memory, and memory palaces.
