Cemí
A sacred Taíno object, usually of stone or wood and often triangular, representing a deity or an ancestral spirit. It was used in ceremonies and placed in the fields to ask for good harvests. It is one of the most recognizable pieces in the island's archaeology museums and also at craft stalls.
Example
That triangular stone figure repeated in museums and souvenirs is a cemí, not a generic ornament.
Best tours and tickets
Curated from Viator. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
San Juan Guided Turtle Snorkel Tour and Complimentary Videos
★★★★★ 4.9 · 18,453 reviews
From $39View tour
Top Rated El Yunque Rainforest & Waterslide - SmallGroup Tour
★★★★★ 4.9 · 16,427 reviews
From $45View tour
Half-Day Yunque Rainforest Waterslide & rope swing Guided Tour
★★★★★ 4.8 · 8,008 reviews
From $25View tour
Related terms
History
Taíno
The Indigenous people who inhabited Puerto Rico, which they called Borikén, when the Spanish arrived in 1493. Their...
History
Petroglifo
A carving made on rock by Indigenous peoples, with faces, round eyes and figures, found in rivers, caves and...
History
Parque Ceremonial Indígena de Caguana
A Taíno site in Utuado, in the mountainous center, with ceremonial plazas called bateyes framed by carved monoliths....
History
Viejo San Juan
The historic core of San Juan, founded in the sixteenth century on an islet and still partly ringed by its walls. It...
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy an authentic cemí?
No. Archaeological pieces are protected by law and not traded. What is sold are handmade reproductions.
Where can I see originals?
In archaeology and history museums in San Juan, Ponce and Utuado, and at the Caguana visitor center.
