ATABEY :: WHO IS SHE AND WHY DO WE CARE?

Atabey is a Taino River Cemi who gave birth to herself and two sons, Yucahu and Juracan - together, they created the world we live in today. As the Divine Mother, she represents love and connection to source. She has become my guide, and the bond between us is forever solid. 

My Puerto Rican experience is tied directly to my reverence for the women who came before me and who, directly or indirectly, created me. The first sacrifice they all made as mothers was to allow their bodies to change as necessary to provide a temporary home for a developing human in need. After that, the sacrifices kept coming, and motherhood became an integral part of their identities. It is those sacrifices, where all of our mothers had to make life altering choices just to keep us alive, that I want to pay homage to. 

Whenever Atabey is found on a piece of my art, may she remind her onlooker of where they came from and who exactly they have to thank for where they are going.