Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A peculiar kind of image or idol, carved to represent some animal or the human form, found among the aboriginal inhabitants of the islands of the West Indies. They were usually of stone, and are still found occasionally on the islands. They are supposed to represent the ancestor or tutelary god of the clan.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun Any of various local deities, human or animal and represented by small idols, once worshipped by the Caribbean peoples of the Taino culture.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • The Taino zemi or sacred sculpture, associated with the deity of the Underworld looked like a dog.

    The Dog Daze of Peace Corps 2009

  • Wild discovered postholes and unusually tidy layers of objects associated with the Taino elite, zemi-related artifacts, and broken ceremonial vessels with what appear to be food offerings.

    Beachfront Bonanza 2002

  • His father, in times long preceding the discovery, having fasted for five days, according to their superstitious observances, applied to his zemi, or household deity, for information of things to come.

    The Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus Irving, Washington, 1783-1859 1892

  • Every chief had his zemi, carved in stone or wood, as a tutelary genius, to whom he addressed his prayers and who had a temple of his own.

    Myths & Legends of our New Possessions & Protectorate 1879

  • His father, in times long preceding the discovery, having fasted for five days, according to their superstitious observances, applied to his zemi, or household deity, for information of things to come.

    The Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus (Volume II) Washington Irving 1821

  • (Nakrmte děti) reaguje na neštěstí Američanů postižených ztrátou zaměstnání po celé zemi

    unknown title 2009

  • Septik pod zachodem asi nikdy nikdo nevyprazdnil a kdyz se autobus rozjel, moc strikala nejen kanalkem na zemi, ale i zachodem nahoru, takze kdokoli potreboval jit (a to vsichni, byla to 12-ti hodinova jizda) byl totalne postrikanej moci, vcetne nas, proste neuveritelnej humus!

    TravelPod.com Recent Updates 2008

  • (Mayan), a supernatural being; chaac (Mayan), a native god; chacmol, chacmool (Mayan), a native god; kanaima (Nahuatl), an evil spirit; zemi (Taino), ` spirit or fetish '; and zip (Mayan), a god.

    VERBATIM: The Language Quarterly Vol IX No 3 1983

Comments

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  • Anyone working on a list of folk beliefs or mythological figures?

    February 27, 2014