Itiba Cahubaba, Taíno / Puerto Rico, mosaic art nouveau portrait

Taíno / Puerto Rico

Itiba Cahubaba

Ancient Bleeding Mother

Taíno belief, recorded by Ramón Pané

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Her story

Historical context

goddess · Taíno belief, recorded by Ramón Pané

In Taíno myth Itiba Cahubaba, 'Ancient Bleeding Mother', gave birth to four sacred twin brothers whose adventures shaped the world and the sea.

Mythology & traditions

The four sons born from Itiba Cahubaba include Deminán Caracaracol. In Pané’s account they steal a gourd belonging to Yaya; when it breaks, the waters and fish pour out to form the sea. Other episodes connect their transformations with cassava and island origins, placing maternal birth at the beginning of a chain of world-making adventures.

Domains

  • birth
  • origins
  • sacrifice
  • earth

Symbols

  • four stars
  • cassava
  • earth

In the oracle

Her guidance

Maiden

What you need to sow

Birth the plan, even if it costs you.

Mother

What you need to grow

Grow those who will go farther than you.

Crone

What you need to know

Know that origins deserve honour.

Her tradition

Taíno Tradition of Borikén

Storm and origin mothers of the Taíno.

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