Ni-Tiao Agueybana
(Agueybana the Elder)
©Melanio Xeiti
Aon Coaybay Gonzalez
Sandpainting on stone
Agueybana, "Magnificence
of the Star" was a cacike of the "yucayeque" (village) of Guaina
located in the southwest corner of Boriken.
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Yucahu Bagua Maorocoti
(White Yuca, Large and Powerful, as is the Sea and the Mountains/Spirit,
without male ancestor of the Yuca and the Sea)
©Melanio Xeiti
Aon Coaybay Gonzalez
Sandpainting on stone
Another representation of Yucahu. This particular design is from a 3-pointer
that was unearthed in Boriken at the Ceremonial Batey Court at Caguana. @1200-1500
C.E.
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Canari - A Maketauori Guayaba
(Lord of Coaybay)
©Melanio Xeiti
Aon Coaybay Gonzalez
Sandpainting on stone
This design depicts "The
Lord of the Land of the Dead," who is usually portrayed as a skull or "death's
head." In this representation he adorns both ends of a "Cohoba"
bowl.
Maketauori is translated
to mean "without life;" Coaybay as the house and home of the dead, and
is located next to an island called "Soraya." Maketauori Guayaba did
not serve as overseer of Coaybay in the sense that he determined who deserved
punishment or reward, but was seen as a loving, caring Father to all who had crossed
over.
The last part of the name
Guayaba refers to the tree Psidium guajaba and its sweet fruit which had a highly
ceremonial and spiritual importance. Bata "Buhuri", were said to the
be reincarnated forms of the Opias (souls) of the deceased. The bats of the islands,
especial the fruit bat (artibeus jamaicensis) emerge from caves at night to gorge
themselves on guayaba fruit. It is this association of Bats/Opias/and Guayaba,
that is the source of Guayabas' importance to the people. It is said that "guayaba
is the food of the dead." The most important of all task and responsibilities
of the Maketauori was the safekeeping of the Guayaba trees.
This design was adapted
from a carved clay bowl found in Quisqueya (Dominican Republic) and is attributed
to the Cedrosa Salado Pre-Taino People, ca. 530 b.c. - 655 c.e.
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 Guariche-A
Caguana (Woman of Caguana)
©Melanio Xeiti
Aon Coaybay Gonzalez
Sandpainting on stone
This design is one of many
interpretations of First Woman -- Mother, Atabex.
She is the mythological Mother of the Taino Creator, "Yucahu Bagua Maorcoti"
(Spirit, without male ancestor, of the Yuca and the Sea. This design represents
a Cemi and she represents a feminine
fertility symbol, that of an anthropomorphic Frog/Woman.
Frogs were considered
symbols of fertility because of the great numbers of eggs and young that are produced
by each individual. This type of figure is usually shown in a squatting or sitting
position, similar to the way in which a frog walks. They have carved, circular
ears, pronounced sexual organs, and are usually of great size.
This design was adapted
from petroglyphic figures at the Caguana Ceremonial Center in Utuado, Puerto Rico
(ca.1100 c.e.)
To purchase any of these
works of art, call 1-203-237-8708.
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