Baptisms/Blessings/Naming Ceremonies

[Leia]

Is there any known version or variant in the Taino traditions similar to baptisms, blessings or naming ceremonies performed on our people at birth, or at any later date in life?

[AJ Whitworth]

There was! From what I could find on the topic, the Taino had something called Guatiao, which would be, in general, a naming ceremony.
However, what I found of it was that is was to name adopted children, sort of like publicly claiming that you were adopting this one child.
Hope this helps!

[Leia]

Thank you very much! It certainly does help! I appreciate your reply. However I am looking for something similar to a baptism. I’ve recently become pregnant and was wondering if our traditions had an equivalent to baptisms so I could partake in it with my newborn. Since baptisms are usually performed on babies, by ministers of the religion, with specific rites and rituals the family participates in, I was hoping we had something similar to that. Thank you again for the reply!

[Dayvanna Schreiner]

We have several Behiques, which are our Taino spiritual leaders. 

[Miguel Sague Jr]

In fact our Caney Indigenous Spiritual Circle has behikes (spiritual guides that Dayvanna referred to) who have in the past celebrated special newborn baby ceremonies that in a way are comparable to a baptism. I will be happy to direct you to the right person for a discussion of this topic. 

[Leia]

I would very much appreciate being directed to whomever can provide more information on the topic. I would love to learn! I am looking forward to maybe partaking in a ceremony for a newborn baby.