The Lucayan People were an indigenous group that inhabited the Bahamas and parts of the Turks and Caicos Islands before European contact. They were part of the larger Arawakan language family and were known for their fishing, farming, and craftsmanship. The Lucayans lived in small, organized communities and relied on the sea for sustenance. In the early 16th century, the arrival of Christopher Columbus marked a significant change for the Lucayan People. They faced severe population decline due to disease, enslavement, and displacement caused by European colonization. By the late 16th century, the Lucayan population had largely disappeared, leaving a lasting impact on the region's history.