Taíno Origin Stories
📍Kúba (Cuba)
Experience Taíno wisdom and tradition through ancient stories and sacred ceremonies.
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Atabéy and Yukajú: Sacred duality
The Taíno believe every person’s spirit holds both feminine and masculine energy. This duality is reflected in the ancestral spirits: Atabéy, who embodies femininity, and Yukajú, who embodies masculinity.
Did you know? In Taíno spirituality, trees are believed to hold ancestral souls, so people ask permission before cutting them.
Tap the cards to learn about natural elements associated with Atabéy and Yukajú.
Water
Earth
Snake
Image generated using ChatGPT with human edits.
Healer
Atabéy
“Mother of Waters”
Sky
Sun
Dryness
Iguana
Leader
Image generated using ChatGPT with human edits.
Yukajú
"Soul of Yuca”
The first shaman and the first chief
One of the Taíno origin stories links feminine and masculine energies to Guabonito and Guahayona, who embody creation and leadership.
Guahayona
The first kasíke (chief)
"Guabonito and Guahayona" by Miguel Sagué, Jr.
Guabonito
The first bejíke (shaman)
Learn more from a Taíno leader!
Taíno spirituality is a living tradition that continues to evolve in practice.
Watch as Miguel Sagué, Jr, principal bejíke of the Caney Indigenous Spiritual Circle, explores the spiritual beliefs and practices of early Taíno people and their relevance today.
Did you know that caves play an important role in Taíno origin stories? It is said that humanity, the sun, and the moon emerged from caves!
Yukajú semí
A semí (also spelled “cemí” or “zemí”) is a sacred Taíno ceremonial object made from natural materials like stone and wood, and it is said to contain the spirits of our ancestors. This three-cornered stone semí represents Yukajú and is buried in gardens to promote plant growth.
Bring the semí to life!
Scan the QR code with a smart device camera to see the semí in augmented reality (AR).
Click and drag to rotate the 3D semí.
