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The Taino flourished in the Caribbean between
c.1200-1500. They were the first Americans to
make contact with the Spanish in 1492 and to
suffer as a result. Many of the features today
associated with the Taino, such as ball-courts
and three-pointers (trigonolitos), were first used
by their predecessors who migrated to the
islands from both South America and
Mesoamerica. This highly polished black stone
celt is a marvelous example of the artistic
capabilities of Taino craftsmen. Undecorated
celts served a practical function and were often
used as axe heads (the ovoid stones were
attached to long wooden shafts for this purpose).
The carved examples undoubtedly belonged to
the Taino chieftains, or caciques, who utilized
them as symbols of authority and wealth.
This example depicts a zemi, the physical
manifestation of a god, spirit or ancestor. The
Taino were polytheistic and worshipped a
number of deities whom they believed controlled
the elements, the success of the crops and
fertility. Ancestor worship was also important
and both the chieftains and shamans claimed to
be able to communicate with the dead. This was
made possible by inducing a hallucinogenic state
through the inhalation of cohoba. Many Taino
art-forms depict zemis in skeletal form. This
may relate to burial practices among the Taino
elite. It was customary for the corpse to be
exposed to the elements and the skulls and long
bones were then preserved in wooden urns or
hung from the rafters of the house. The zemi has
square-shaped eye sockets and a wide open
mouth. The arms and legs are depicted in the
ritual squatting position assumed by shamans
during the cohoba ritual. This was clearly an
object of considerable spiritual and social
significance to its original owners and continues
to astound us today. (AM)
- (BF.044)
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