Atabɛ

Atabɛ (Spanish transcription: Atabey) or Atabɛra is the supreme goddess of the Taínos, one of two supreme deities in the Taíno religion. She is particularly the goddess of fresh water and fertility, but also representing the earth all horizontal water, lakes, streams, the sea, and the ocean tide.

Atabɛ defines prime matter and all that is tangible or material and has several manifestations. One is as the nurturing maternal figure as Atabɛ herself. Another is Kawana, the spirit of love. The last is Wabansɛ, the violent Wild Mother of storms, earthquakes, and volcanoes.

Atabɛ conceived twin sons without intercourse. The most commonly known is Yúkahu because he is the god who rules over the fertility of kasabi.

This deity was one of the most important for the Arawakan tribes that inhabited the Caribbean islands of the Antilles, mostly in Borĩkẽ (Puerto Rico), Ayti (Haiti/Hispaniola), and Kubao (Cuba). Alternate names for for her were Yermaoakar, Apito, and Sumaiko. Taíno women prayed to Atabɛ to ensure a safe childbirth.