The Mythology and Religion of the Tainos

by Sebastián Robiou Lamarche, Claudia Robiou Ramirez De Arellano (Illustrator), Andrew Hurley (Translator)

The Mythology and Religion of the Taínos is an analysis and summary of the beliefs and rituals of the Taíno people, who were the predominant culture in the Greater Antilles, or “West Indies,” at the moment of the Europeans’ arrival. In this fascinating book, text and image join to provide both the general public and the scholar an essential work in the bibliography of the indigenous people of the Antilles.At the moment of Contact, the Taínos’ mythical time, with its periods of creation, the obtention of cultural assets, and the establishment of the structure and norms of society, was interlinked with historical time. Their powerful, sacred cemíes preserved the spirits of the deities and other mythical figures of the past, allowing the Taínos to maintain contact with the time of the origins. When, during the ritual of the cohoba, the cacique, or chief, communicated with those higher beings, he became the mediator between the deities and society. Thus, the power that legitimized the Taíno religion and social order was made visible in the triad cemíes-cohoba-cacique.
Sebastián Robiou Lamarche, whose previous books include Encuentro con la mitología taína (1992), Taínos y las culturas aborígenes antillanas (2003), Mitología y religion de los Taínos (2016) and Tainos and Caribs (2019), has a doctorate in history from the Center for Advanced Studies of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean (San Juan, P.R.).Andrew Hurley is the translator of a wide range of literary and academic works, including the collected fictions of Jorge Luis Borges, the selected prose writings of Rubén Darío, and Reinaldo Arenas’ Pentagonía novels.

Genres: History, Anthropology, Nonfiction

140 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Miguel Aguila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel so much more connected with my indigenous roots after having read this book. So much was taken from us and erased from history for so long, almost completely forgotten. Thank you Sebastian for this illuminating and enlightening treasure trove of information and knowledge of the Taino people and their religion, mythology, rituals, etc.

[Lydia's Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes a bit confusing but overall very informative!

[Cristina Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. At the school we learn the basic of the taíno culture, but this book tells us in depth the myths and the religious cults of our ancestors. Also, it has pictures and a glossary so we could learn more about the cemíes, caciques and other taíno's words.

[Destiny Ramos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a great read if you want to know more about your Taino heritage. Very informative, written almost like textbook but just amazing!

[Rafael J. Mateo C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muy buen libro para aquellos que quieran conocer un poco más sobre la sociedad taína y sus creencias, así cómo estas moldearon su jerarquía social y política. Le doy 4 estrellas porque hay partes que cuesta un poco seguir lo que el autor quiere transmitir. En varias ocasiones tuve que buscar información adicional por otro lado para poder entender mejor lo que el autor trataba de explicar.

Fuera de eso, muy recomendado.

[Paulinette Quirindongo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luego de mi visita a los parques ceremoniales de Tibes y Caguana, me quedé con las ansias de saber más sobre mis ancestros taínos, y fue cuando encontré este lindo ejemplar que explica de forma detallada y fácil de leer la cosmología taína, sus ritos y el porque de los personajes y como los enterramientos funerarios tienen razon de ser, en especial el porque la obsesión de enterrar a las personas de oeste a este. También el libro incluye una lista del vocubalario taíno y de los nombres de las principales deidades taínas. Recomiendo este libro para aquellos que comienzan a estudiar la mitología taína o que simplemente queiren saber por placer.

[Joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting, very well executed dissection of taíno lore as related through the lens of comparative mythology and very scarce information. The only hangup I have with this book is the way the author breaks off the narrative rythm of the telling of the myths when citing his sources and saying his thoughts, even thought I understand it's for practival reasons, it feels disorganized for me. I wish he had separated them more clearly. It's still a great source.

[Rita Ramos · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book wasn't bad, but it was confusing. The author seemed disorganized with his ideas which made it really hard to follow.

[Lilith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me encanto el libro. Es interesante aprender como nuestros ancestros veían el mundo que les rodeaba. Saber que sus creencias no estan muertas ni dejadas en el olvido.