Matum or matun is of indigenous Taino origin meaning generous. The Taino are indigenous Native Americans of the Caribbean Island In some areas of the Caribbean, the term matum has incorporated within the Spanish language and can also refer to an aquatic animal called manatee &#(family Trichechidae, genus Trichechus&#). The earliest know reference to matum and a manatee was documented by Peter Martyr d&#'Anghiera who wrote &#"De Orbe Novo&#" &#(On the New World, 1530&#). This book describes the first contacts of Europeans and Native Americans civilizations in the Caribbean, North America, and Mesoamerica.
The matum is a fish whose meaning in Spanish is Manatee and in latin meaning matum. The word matum comes from generous also. It is an aquatic mammal of large thick skin long tail who lives or lived in central america, South america and africa. The matum or Manatee is herbivorous and is also recognized as a sea cow.
