Stone effigy "zemi", ca. 7th - 15th century ·  Greater Antilles, Taino · ID: 3052450

Description

black stone, brown pigment,

The word “zemí’“in the Taíno language refers to “a spiritual and vital force pertaining to deities and ancestors”; meaning that “zemís” were also imbued with spiritual, ancestral, and supernatural forces.

As objects used for both ritual and veneration, “zemís” could impact many aspects of Taino life, influencing the health, social standing, political power, or the fertility of an individual.

Comparing literature

Bercht, Fatima u.a. (Hg.), Taino, New York 1998, p. 23

Notices

This object is subject to the UNESCO Cultural Heritage Protection Act. Export documents are required for export (subjected to a fee).