The Centro Cultural Taíno at the Casa del Cordón in the Colonial City is inviting to a talk on Wednesday, 20 August 2025 at 7pm on one of the most important cultural heritage artifacts left by the Taino indians that inhabited the island when the Spanish conquistadors arrived in 1492. The talk, titled “The Cotton Cemí: Unveiling Its Ancestral Mysteries,” will delve into the history, symbolism, and journey of the rare ceremonial artifact, the Bahoruco-found cotton cemí. There is no charge for attending the talk.
Discovered in the Bahoruco peninsula in the 19th Century, this preserved piece is now housed at the University of Turin in Italy. The cemí is one of the most enigmatic and spiritual expressions of the Taíno worldview, attracting attention from archaeologists, anthropologists, and scholars of Antillean culture worldwide.
The discussion will feature prominent figures in Taíno cultural research. Businessman, archaeologist, and researcher of Taíno culture, Manuel García Arévalo, will be joined by Cristian Martínez Villanueva, an architect, visual artist, and scholar of pre-Hispanic civilizations. The conversation will be moderated by José Enrique Delmonte, the center’s cultural advisor.
This event is part of the ongoing cultural programming at the Centro Cultural Taíno, which aims to promote knowledge, dialogue, and reflection to strengthen national identity. The center’s events are free and open to the public, encouraging citizens to connect with their history and appreciate the legacy of the Dominican Republic’s first inhabitants.
The Casa del Cordón, built in 1503, is one of the oldest civil stone houses in the Americas. It serves as a cultural hub dedicated to showcasing Taíno culture and the fusion of civilizations. The center features a permanent exhibition with over 350 pieces from the García Arévalo Foundation, documenting the historical and cultural heritage of the island’s pre-Hispanic peoples.
The Centro Cultural Taino is located at 214 Isabel la Católica Street in the Colonial City. It is a contribution of the Banco Popular Dominicano to learning about and sharing Dominican culture.
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N Digital
20 August 2025