Cemís

Cemís are anthropomorphic and zoomorphic religious objects used by the indigenous Taíno people of the Caribbean. These idols were crafted from various materials, including wood, stone, clay, shell, and bone, and were central to Taíno spiritual beliefs and practices. Cemís represented gods, ancestral spirits, or supernatural beings, and were believed to possess the power to influence the natural world, human affairs, and the spirits of the dead.

The form and function of cemís varied widely. Some were small and portable, intended for personal devotion, while others were larger and displayed in communal spaces. They often depicted human or animal forms, or a combination of both, with intricate carvings and symbolic motifs. The Taíno people believed that cemís could communicate with the spiritual realm and acted as intermediaries between humans and the divine. They were venerated, consulted for guidance, and used in rituals, including healing ceremonies and agricultural rites. The creation and maintenance of cemís were often the responsibility of religious specialists known as *buhuitis*. The destruction of many cemís by Spanish colonizers during the encounter period led to a significant loss of Taíno cultural heritage, though surviving examples continue to provide valuable insights into their complex religious system.