The Kalinago people were called Caribs because they were thought to be

The Kalinago, also known as the Island Caribs or simply Caribs, are an indigenous people of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean. ... Historically, it was thought their ancestors were mainland peoples who had conquered the islands from their previous inhabitants, the Igneri.

Explanation:

Cannibals

Explanation:

Columbus' sailors first encountered the 'Caribs' in Guadeloupe.The Indians called themselves the 'Kalinago', while the Spanish referred to them as Caribales. Sailors landed ashore and discovered what they thought were human limbs being cooked  and lying out to dry. We acquire the word cannibal from these Indians, which means "human flesh eaters." However, there is absolutely no proof that they were cannibals.