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I believe this is the accurate zemi given the depiction of the mouth (wide open) and the legs (backwards), also because it's from PR where this deity was commonly depicted. If inaccurate, please replace. |
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Yúcahu became known as the deity of [[agriculture]], as well as the zemi of peace and tranquility, he represented goodness. This was contrasted greatly by the goddess Guabancex (more commonly, but erroneously, known as [[Juracán]]) whose fierce nature was regarded as responsible for persuading other zemis in order to bring forth chaos and who was associated with the more aggressive [[Island Caribs|Caribs]]. Yúcahu was believed to have a throne in [[El Yunque (Puerto Rico)|El Yunque peak]], the largest mountain found in the tropical [[El Yunque National Forest]] reserve, where he resided in the same manner that the [[List of Greek mythological figures|Greek gods]] did in [[Mount Olympus]]. The Taíno referred to the peak as ''yuké'', or "The White Lands", in reference to the thick cloud shroud that always surrounds it. This mountain range diverts the wind of hurricanes, minimizing the damage that the storms do to the lower parts of the island. Noticing this, the natives interpreted this as Yúcahu confronting Guabancex and her cohorts over the safety of his worshipers. Located in the northern mountains of Puerto Rico, the region where El Yunke is located was originally known as "Yukiyu", a name that became associated with the deity. Following the Spanish colonization, it became known under the Hispanized variant of [[Luquillo, Puerto Rico|Luquillo]], a name that remains in use.
== Modern usage ==
===Religious===
Adaptations of traditional Taíno religion are practiced by a number of neo-Taíno groups, featuring Yúcahu as part of their pantheons.
===Cultural===
Preceding the impending passing of hurricanes [[Hurricane Irma|Irma]] and [[Hurricane Maria|Maria]] over Puerto Rico during the [[2017 hurricane season]], artistic representations depicting an updated model of Yúcahu (as the sentient embodiment of El Yunque, distinguished by an humanoid form composed by the forest's vegetation) became widespread in social media as a method to boost the population's morale.<ref>[https://www.univision.com/entretenimiento/mundo-mistico/cuando-llega-el-huracan-conoce-el-mito-de-el-yunque-y-su-poder-protector-en-puerto-rico-fotos]</ref>
== References ==
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