Rituals and Traditions of the Tainos: Jayuya, The Yuké Tribe Awakens
In the beautiful mountains of Jayuya, a group of people have been practicing Taino indigenous customs in spiritual connection with nature for 25 years. Jayuya, a town and municipality of Puerto Rico is located in the Tres Picachos Mountain, a ceremonial space donated to the Yuké people.
Jayuya is also known as “La Capital Indigena ” ( The Indigenous Capital) home of many Taino Indian sites. Jayuya was discovered in 1883 and was made independent on March 9, 1911. The name is derived from a local chief, Cheif Hayuya which means “lugar de guayo” (place of guayo).
The Yuké Tribe has dedicated their lives to keeping the indigenous customs alive. Yuké means (white land), and honors the Taino rituals in the Coabey neighborhood. Grandfather Makutok (“cane”), whose name is José Valentín Núñez Berríos, is the chief of the Yuké tribe, which was formed 25 years ago. Their annual ceremonies attract hundreds of visitors.
The Taíno people populated most of the Caribbean and some adjacent territories during the pre-Columbian era, long before the arrival of Spaniards and others to Puerto Rico. The island’s indigenous people had a hierarchically structured kingdom, in which each yucayeque or village had a cacique (leader) who ruled and guided their clan.
The Taínos spoke Arauaco. Five hundred years later, Puerto Ricans use hundreds of words from that language to identify a world of things: rivers, islands, beaches, food, mountains, music, neighborhoods, drinks, fauna, flora, utensils, and weather.
This language greatly enriched the Spanish Puerto Ricans speak today, and by giving it its flavor it made it unique and special. An interesting example of this rich influence is the fact that five centuries later, 36 of the 78 municipalities that make up Puerto Rico officially bear a name of Arawak origin.
The Taína Route
Visitors interested in learning more can participate in The Taína Route, an informative tour that highlights the role that this ethnic group had on Puerto Rico’s heritage. From north to south and going through the central mountain areas, the route offers a glimpse into the Taíno’s ceremonial centers, tombs, caves, and petroglyphs.
“The call is from up there. I arrived here and said: ‘Here I lived’. My life changed 99%. The material things, the economic things, the things that I say are from outside are gone and I’m here inside now,” the Chief of the Yuké Tribe recalls.
“We raised the batey, we did our ceremonies, all with the purpose of transforming the abyss that had been sown more than 500 years ago. Because that vibration had to be transformed, that energy that overwhelmed our people and did not let us get up. We know who we are. We don’t need them to tell us ‘you are’, we are,” said grandmother Kukuya (light in the dark), 70, whose name is Margarita Nogueras Vidal.
“We educate our children, we teach them the rituals… We are not idolaters, that is a thing of the conquerors… It is a lifestyle, not a religion. We only believe in a god that is unitary, that is wind, water, earth and fire. It’s in the elements,” she added.
The Events
- In the first weekend of August, they all come together to celebrate the Taino ceremonies. In these ceremonies, anyone who desires to participate is welcomed and treated as one of the tribe. The first day always falls on a Friday, everyone sets up a camping hut in preparation to spend two wonderful days in nature and experience the ancestral rituals.
- On Saturday, at 5 in the morning, the bonfire, which is known as the “flame of love,” is located in the center of the batey. The bonfire burns until 6pm the next day.
- The educational workshops and dances incorporate cleansing and spiritual healing. Before the batey, walking on bare feet, attendees place their palms on the ground to feel connected to mother earth. Then, they make a complete turn to the center, facing a central stone. If the stone is located towards the east, it is looking for transformation. If located in the north, healing or wisdom; to the west, an illumination; and to the south, the person is in a cycle of learning.
During a spiritual healing session, Grandmother Kukuya says, “open your heart and breathe. Touch your little heart and breathe. Breathe.” The Grandmother and Grandpa Makutok hold feathers in their hands and wear indigenous clothing symbolizing the start of the cleansing and blessings rituals.
Then, they both go up to each person while Grandmother Kukuya waves her pen around the body giving each an individual message, while he gives a final blessing by touching each shoulder.
On the third day, Sunday, the contact with nature is still very present. They give gratitude to the earth until 6 pm and the bonfire goes out.
“Legend says that the people of Borikén have to get up again, really get up, stand up, assume their responsibility and do what they have to do to move forward,” warns Kukuya about the tribe’s position in their current challenge with the face of climate change, and it’s mission to make “a peace alliance between other tribes of the world.”
The Tribu Yuké is an organization based on the ancestral beliefs of the Taino Indigenous Tradition of Boriké which is guided and inspired by The Great Creator Spirit. The Yuké established an Indigenous Taino community to live and carry out our ceremonial practices in harmony with Mother Earth.
Among their practices, they promote self-sustainability and healthy community development in harmony with all of our relationships. The Yuké conserve, promote and preserve Borike’s indigenous ancestral teachings, including afro-indigenous contributions and other cultures that have influenced the growth of their community.
The Tribu Yuké provides services and orientations to visitors and the general public. Margarita Nogueras explains their worldview,
“The Tribu Yuké ceremonies unite ancestral knowledge and are committed along with other indigenous communities of the Caribbean to create solutions or alternative ways that can be implemented to safeguard life during these times of great climate change.”
Director of Future Journalist ProgramVanessa Campa | Florida International University
Vanessa Campa is a recent graduate from Florida International University holding a Bachelor of Arts in English on the Writing and Rhetoric track, and a minor in Psychology. Through working for the Latina Republic as a Latin Correspondent, Vanessa has gained a true love and passion for reporting underreported stories in the region. Discovering underreported stories that will inspire her readers, she has specialized in interviewing and writing articles on outstanding Latinx women who have made an impact in their communities, especially immigrants. As a Director of the Future Journalist Program for the Latina Republic, Vanessa will continue carrying the organizations’ mission in changing stereotypes that have negatively impacted the people within the region, and bringing light to another side of Latin America that is concealed.
