zemi
Quick Summary
A zemi was a spirit or supernatural being central to the religious beliefs of the aboriginal Taino people of the Caribbean. These spirits were often housed in objects that were believed to possess magical power, functioning as fetishes or idols. The body of beliefs and practices surrounding these zemis is known as zemiism. The Taino, who inhabited islands like Cuba, Jamaica, and Hispaniola, worshipped these spirits through carved representations as part of their elaborate religious system.123
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Central American and northern Andean IndianTraditional culture patterns…the Antillean Arawaks was the zemi, a triangular carved stone that represented the hierarchically ranked individual guardian deities of each household in the society.
Read More…the Antillean Arawaks was the zemi, a triangular carved stone that represented the hierarchically ranked individual guardian deities of each household in the society.
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CubaEarly period…idols of religious spirits called zemis. The Taino diet included potatoes, manioc, fruits, and fish. The name Cuba is pre-Hispanic in origin and its exact derivation unknown.
Read More…idols of religious spirits called zemis. The Taino diet included potatoes, manioc, fruits, and fish. The name Cuba is pre-Hispanic in origin and its exact derivation unknown.
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