Storyteller Planet Celebrates the Caribbean Taino Through Storytelling
Updated: Jan 19
With June halfway gone and the summer parties just starting, I thought I’d celebrate Storyteller Planet’s 4th birthday with an origin story. One that extends beyond the lines of fiction yet embodies the heart of its creator.
A New Kri’Aeshon Myth
In a deep dive of self-discovery, amid Storyteller Planet’s inception, a group of people resurfaced from the spirit realm and turned my attention to the most magnificent stories. They were stories from every corner of the planet. Some I had heard before. Others were like a breath of fresh air. I devoured each one with tears in my eyes and soon began to ask deeper questions. Storyteller questions. What if all of these stories existed in one Universe? What if all of these immortals were siblings or cousins? What was the highest form of an immortal? How does a Universe even become the messy madness we live in today? Who thought bills were a good idea and can we prevent that being from ever existing? And in the midst of me asking myself all these questions, the Universe of H’Ohm was born. It started with two beings. Then two became 6 and so on and so on. Curious how it all turned out and what this has to do with the Caribbean? Then let's give you a taste of the divine.
The Tainos and the Power of Myth
I promise to provide a list of reference links for y’all to devour on this topic once we're through. I also promise that they don’t even cover all of the story. But I digress.
How many of you even know who the Tainos are? Do you know that they had myths and legends? Did you know that they still exist? For the record, I am not a historian nor an expert on this topic. I’m only a humble storyteller here to tell the tale of a long-forgotten group of people. My people. Our people.
To summarize a very long and beautiful history, the Tainos were a diverse and intelligent civilization that spanned the many islands of the Caribbean including, Cuba, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Puerto Rico. They were led by matriarchal lineages of Chiefs who excelled in trade and they lived prosperous lives that included all who lived in the village from birth to death. They were hunters, fishermen, and musicians. And just like all civilizations, they had fantastic deities who they revered and believed in. The stories of these beings are muddled by time, fragmented between languages but preserved nonetheless. Stories that deserve to shine in the light of the campfire. So, gather around as we enhance tales of old to entertain you.
Meet Bai’Yah, Iti’Bah, and the Rest of the Family
There will be time for us to get into the lore of the other Di’Ehtiz of H’Ohm later on this summer. Today we’re going to stay in the Caribbean and the Rehlm of Eh’Fi. Created by Momma Gai’Ah (yes, based on our planet Earth’s beloved Gaia), the main immortal beings of this Rehlm stem from the Taino creation myths and the deities of old.
Bai’Yah, a Di’Ehti who was originally supposed to bring fire and the harvest to Eh’Fi, is based on the Taino deity, Bayamanaco. He was depicted thought legends as the God of Fire as well as a being of magic. However, this version of Bai'Yah is not as omnipotent as his origin. He is a being of mistakes and little tolerance for foolishness.
Iti’Bah is based on Itiba Cahubaba, also known as ‘The Great Bleeding Mother”, she is the Planet that holds all life in Eh’Fi and is the mother of Deh'Mi and the Ahdvi Brothers.
Ahtah’Bae, based on Atabay or “the mother of all the Gods”, is Iti’Bah’s greatest protector. She is a being who has created many of the Di'Ehtis in Eh’Fi, so her name definitely proceeds her.
Yah’Yah, loosely based on the almighty Taino creator YaYa, is a being in charge of bringing life to the planet in the form of plants and animals. While this depiction of them is androgynous in form and spirit, this is done through the respect for the anima and animus that YaYa is said to embody. The masculine and feminine in us all.
Yah’Yehl, based on the rebellious Yayel of Taino legend, is a being who tried to kill his creator out of rebellion only to fail and be returned to water and mud. He is an important deity in Taino mythology because his being makes up all of Oh'Shun (a.k.a. the ocean). We do our best to preserve this story in various ways, romanticizing our favorite parts.
Deh’Mi, based on the only named child of Itiba Cahubaba, Deminán Caracaracol, is the mischievous being who accidentally sets the remains of Yah’Yehl free by laughing too hard and creating Oh’Shun. He is the leader of his brothers and has a knack for obtaining everything he desires, no matter the cost.
The Ahdvi Brothers are the embodiment of the unnamed Caracaracol Quadruplets and are known around the Rehlms as Ichi, the leader of the harvest, Dohs, the voice of the people, and Sahn, the silent swordsman. The origin story of Deh’Mi and the Ahdvi Brothers is like an extended version of the original tale the Tainos preserved for thousands of years. It is also one of the most popular stories I can find that originate from the Tainos, so be sure to remember these popular characters.
Yuk’Au, loosely based on Atabay’s only son Yukau, is a being of the harvest and embodies a warrior's spirit. The Taino depictions of Yukau are extremely revered, as he was the bringer of yuca, a highly appreciated root in the Caribbean to this day. Yuca fries anyone?
Kah’Muae is my favorite Di’Ehti and she comes from a twisted story involving the beautiful Taino turtle deity, Camuae, who was born out of Deminán Caracaracols back. She is also said to be the oldest ancestor of the Taino. There are many creation stories for how humans were made according to the Taino, so take this as one version of many. While Kah’Muae has now been transformed as a daughter of Yah’Yehl and Ahtah’Bae, her Taino origin story is how the love story between Kah’Muae and Deh’Mi came to be.
Guah’Sehr / Hurah’Kahn is a special Di’Ehti of two names. I read a story once that Yukau had a lesser-known twin brother named Guaser. He later grew jealous of his brother and turned himself into the more popular known deity, Hurakan, who only brought destruction to the Taino in the form of fierce storms. This is also where we get the word hurricane from. The origin story we have made of Guah’Sehr / Hurah’Kahn is meant to preserve the original story, as it is hard to find and not very well known.
Guah’Bahn, similarly to Guah’Sehr, has a muddy history. Taino’s had believed her to be the anti-twin of Atabey named Guabancex and she went on to create Coatriquie and Guataubá, the deities of wind, rain, lightning, and thunder. She was also believed to be the wife of the horrible Hurakan and would often get in the way of the twin brothers, Boinayel and Marohu, from completing their tasks. Taking pieces of this and that, we now have made The Per’Fehkt Storm which consists of Guah’Bahn, Hurah’Kahn, Koh’Ahnti (formally known as Guatauba/Boinayel), and Tau’Vahn (formally known as Coatriquie/Marohu).
These four beings live in the Skai Rehlm, Au’Tahmehx, which makes up the upper atmosphere of Planet Iti’Bah. These beings are the center of a lot of the dramas that play out in Eh’Fi, especially since Guah’Bahn is the twin sister of Kah’Muae.
This Is Only The Beginning…
Like I said earlier, this is only the shallows of the deep and passionate mythological world of the Taino people and their beloved deities. While we at Storyteller Planet embellish and enhance these myths the way Stan Lee embellished Thor and Loki all those years ago, we strive to preserve the forgotten myths of the Caribbean and the world at large. I encourage you to dive deeper into the reference links below to get a better understanding of the fascinating culture that makes up the Caribbean as well as the refreshed versions of the stories that we have on Storyteller Planet.
Listen to Ar’Kaiv’s Podcast to hear the retold origin story of Eh’Fi and the Universe itself. Read The Chains that Binds Us to find out how Ahtah’Bae and Yah’Yehl fell in love. Dive into the ongoing series of The Warriors of Passion to learn what the mortals are doing in the world of the divine. And whatever you do, don't forget the history poured into these divine beings.
We are blessed and grateful to say that we aren't the only ones who are celebrating the Tainos and their legacy. Cheers to those storytellers on Planet Earth who continue to celebrate diversity and love. Together, I believe that we can change the world for the better. One story at a time. Until next time!
If you are interested in collaborating with us on our projects, click here for more information!
About the Author
Crystal Cabrae is a storyteller who writes dystopian, romantic, and adventurous worlds for animation and fantastical fiction. Born as Angelica Cabrera, she is a proud graduate of Full Sail University, AMDA NYC, and New World School of the Arts. Her six years of acting training in New York and Miami gives her a unique perspective when approaching her characters. Crystal has a passion for sharing how to create stories with the world and inspiring the storyteller that lives within all of us. While she tries to keep up with her social media accounts, the best way to get to know her is over a cup of tea or a good plate of food.
Reference Links:
Taino Flag Photo: Detached, F. (2023, July 18). Taino creation myth: Ancient Wisdom and its relevance in modern life. Medium. https://medium.com/@finallydetached/taino-creation-myth-ancient-wisdom-and-its-relevance-in-modern-life-e0c0f7f5f8bc
TEDEd Photo. Credit: Keegan, B. (n.d.). The Taino myth of the cursed creator. Bill Keegan: The Taino myth of the cursed creator | TED Talk. https://www.ted.com/talks/bill_keegan_the_taino_myth_of_the_cursed_creator
Robles, A. R. (2021, February 22). Tainos: Mythology and cosmology- Sebastián Robiou Lamarche. Puerto Rican Culture. https://blogs.baruch.cuny.edu/puertoricanculture/?p=97
Islands, T. of the. (n.d.). Talking Taino: Caves. Times of the Islands. https://www.timespub.tc/2007/01/talking-taino-caves/
From Issue: Fall 2018 / Vol. 19 No. 3, González, C. M., Authors Christina M. González Christina Marie González (decolonizing Borikua/Puerto Rican) is a PhD candidate in Sociocultural Anthropology at the University of Texas at Austin, Christina M. González Christina Marie González (decolonizing Borikua/Puerto Rican) is a PhD candidate in Sociocultural Anthropology at the University of Texas at Austin, González, C. M., & Christina Marie González (decolonizing Borikua/Puerto Rican) is a PhD candidate in Sociocultural Anthropology at the University of Texas at Austin. (n.d.). Abuelas, ancestors and Atabey: The spirit of Taíno resurgence. NMAI Magazine. https://www.americanindianmagazine.org/story/abuelas-ancestors-and-atabey-spirit-taino-resurgence
Tainos’ known words. West Side Destination. (2021, February 10). https://wsdestination.com/2020/04/27/tainos-known-words/
Atabex, U. (n.d.). Taino and Mayan goddess and gods. Taino and Mayan Goddess and Gods. https://urbanatabex.blogspot.com/2010/10/taino-and-mayan-goddess-and-gods.html
Wikimedia Foundation. (2024, April 19). List of Taínos. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ta%C3%ADnos
Arawak/taino: Celestial Caribbean Goddesses’ target the Earth (prelim). Arawak/Taino: Celestial Caribbean Goddesses’ Target the Earth (prelim), in Israel Algarin, S’s (06) Myths: Taino Caribbean Indians Comic Art Gallery Room. (n.d.). https://www.comicartfans.com/gallerypiece.asp?Piece=1613481
Wikimedia Foundation. (2024b, May 10). Guabancex. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guabancex
Taíno zemí of Itiba Cahubaba - Infinity of Nations: Art and history in the collections of the National Museum of the American Indian - george gustav heye center, New York. Copyright 2010-2011. Smithsonian Institution. (n.d.). https://americanindian.si.edu/exhibitions/infinityofnations/meso-carib/127442.html
Scribd. (n.d.). Mytologia Taina. Scribd. https://www.scribd.com/document/212615267/Mytologia-Taina
Islands, T. of the. (n.d.-a). Mother sea turtle. Times of the Islands. https://www.timespub.tc/2008/04/mother-sea-turtle/
Interpretation of a Taino myth - deminan inaru karey (Deminan and turtle woman) – indigenous caribb...: Character design, character design inspiration, Taino Indians. Pinterest. (2022, June 27). https://www.pinterest.com/pin/interpretation-of-a-taino-myth-deminan-inaru-karey-deminan-and-turtle-woman-indigenous-caribbean-networ--622411611015394542/
Yamaye-mike.blogspot.com. (n.d.). Cultural revival: The Taíno. Cultural Revival: The Taíno. https://yamaye1.blogspot.com/2014/11/cultural-revival-taino.html
“Atabey goddess Taino symbol” photographic print for sale by Solunagua . | redbubble. (n.d.). https://www.redbubble.com/i/photographic-print/Atabey-Goddess-Taino-Symbol-by-liamaris/63653739.6Q0TX
Bayamanaco taino indigenous clay figure big 13 in tall. Etsy. (n.d.). https://www.etsy.com/listing/1439557301/bayamanaco-taino-indigenous-clay-figure
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