Atabey (goddess)
Atabey is the supreme goddess of the Taínos (native peoples at the pre Columbian era), one of two supreme deities in the Taíno religion. She was worshipped as a goddess of fresh water and fertility;[1] she is the female entity who represents the Earth Spirit and the Spirit of all horizontal water, lakes, streams, the sea, and the marine tides.[2] This deity was one of the most important for the native tribes that inhabited the Caribbean islands of the Antilles, mostly in Puerto Rico (Borikén), Haiti La Hispaniola and Cuba.[3]
Atabey or Atabeira defines prime matter and all that is tangible or material and has several manifestations. One is the aforementioned nurturing maternal figure. Another is Caguana: the spirit of love. The last is Guabancex (also known as Gua Ban Ceh): the violent, Wild Mother of storms volcanoes and earthquakes.
Alternate names for the Taíno mother goddess are Iermaoakar, Apito, and Sumaiko and Taíno women prayed to Atabey to ensure a safe childbirth.[4]
Mythology
Atabey immaculately conceived of twin sons. The most commonly known is Yúcahu because he is the principal Taíno god who rules over the fertility of Yucca.
