Atabey (goddess)

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Atabey is an ancestral mother of the Taíno, one of two supreme ancestral spirits in Taíno mythology. She is a goddess associated with the moon, fresh waters, fertility and creation; she is the female entity who represents the spirit of all horizontal water, lakes, streams, the sea, and the marine tides. This spirit was one of the most important for the Native tribes that inhabited the Caribbean islands of the Antilles, mostly in Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Cuba and Haiti and is still worshipped by many neo-Taino communities in the Spanish West Indies. 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 Atabey include Iermaoakar, Apito, and Sumaiko. Taíno women prayed to Atabey to ensure safe childbirth.

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