Guabanseh: Taino Spirit of the Storm

Did You Know: The Taíno deity of the winds and storms is a female spirit named Guabanseh (Guabancex). The Taíno language term hurakan (hurricane) was the ‘breath from her center’. Contrary to the reports of some Spanish chroniclers, in ancient times Taíno did not view this force of nature as something ‘evil’. Traditionally, Taíno viewed Guabanseh as a powerful natural manifestation to be respected and honored with song. Guabanseh has two assistants: Guatauba and Koatriske (Coatrisque). Combined, they were the wind, thunder and flood spirits manifested during the hurakan. Guatauba, as the thunder, was the herald who announced Guabanseh's pending arrival. Koatriske followed the wind and thunder and brought the devastating power of the flood. The early chroniclers also reported that Taíno mariners curtailed long sea voyages during the hurricane season from June to October. The Spanish colonizers were quite amazed that the seemingly simple thatched homes of the Taíno could withstand the intense tropical storms. Modern meteorologists paid homage to Guabanseh via the early tradition of naming hurricanes after females. – © UCTP Taíno News 2011

*Image of Guabanseh courtesy of Michael Auld.

BOHIO is Taino

Did You Know: The word "Bohio" is the Taino language term for "home." Among rural communities in the Greater Antilles especially, the word bohio is still used today interchangeably with the word "casa" in Caribbean Spanish. When Columbus landed in the Dominican Republic in 1492 some of the Taino he met simply referred to their island paradise as “bohio” meaning their home. A typical community dwelling which varied in size, a bohio was made from local hardwood trees and usually retained a conical roof that was thatched with the Royal Palm. Early explorers were quite amazed that these seemingly simple round house structures could even withstand the intense tropical storms the Taino called "hurakan". - UCTP Taino News © 2010

A Taino Kanei (Caney)

Did you know - The traditional home of a Taino tribal leader or Kasike was called a kanei (caney); pronounced kah-nehEE. This dwelling was usually a central focal point in the community and faced the iukaieke (village) ceremonial and social grounds called “batei (batey)”. Besides being a residence for the village kasike (chieftain) and family, a kanei was sometimes used a ceremonial gathering place for community leaders including spiritual leaders. Like a typical dwelling called “bohio”, a kanei was made from local hardwood trees and was thatched with the Royal Palm. Unlike a bohio, which was often round, a kanei was usually rectangular, had a gabled roof, and a type of porch. - UCTP Taino News © 2007