Sculptures of Opiel (Opiyel Guabirán) &  Maquetaurie Guayaba
A beautifully hand-painted clay sculpture honoring Opiel, known in Taíno spiritual tradition as Opiyel Guabirán, the sacred guardian spirit dog of Coaybay, the ancestral realm of the dead. Opiel symbolizes guidance, protection, and the spiritual journey, accompanying souls as they transition into the afterlife.
Alongside it stands an equally striking clay sculpture representing Maquetaurie Guayaba, the Taíno zemí associated with Coaybay, the land of the dead. This powerful figure embodies the mystery of the spiritual world and the enduring connection between life, death, and the continuity of the spirit.
Together, these pieces reflect the Taíno worldview, honoring ancestral memory and the sacred bond between the living, the departed, and the spiritual forces that unite them.
Measurements:
*️⃣ Maquetaurie Guayaba
•Size: 10 cm tall × 6.5 cm wide × 2 cm thick
•Finish: Black base with red accents throughout
•Presence: A respectful homage to the cycle of life, night, and ancestral remembrance
*️⃣ Opiel (Opiyel Guabirán)
•Size: 7 cm tall × 5 cm wide
•Finish: Black base with vibrant red accents
•Presence: A symbol of guardianship, ancestral memory, and spiritual transition
This powerful figure Opiyel Guabirán symbolizes the bridge between the world of the living and that of the ancestors, guiding and watching over spirits with loyalty and vigilance. In Taíno belief, this canine spirit accompanied souls on their journey after death and stood as protector at the threshold of the underworld.  
Maquetaurie Guayaba, revered as the guardian of the ancestral realm, Maquetaurie Guayaba oversaw the balance between life and death, welcoming spirits and guiding them into the sacred rest beyond the sunset. His connection to bats and the night reflects the Taíno cosmology of transformation and remembrance.  
Each necklace features a hand-painted representation of this ancestral spirit, suspended from a durable waxed cord.
•Cord: 30-inch wax cord with sturdy barrel clasp
•Pendant finish: Black with red accents
•Meaning: A wearable symbol of spiritual balance, ancestral remembrance, and cultural homage
About the Bija Jagua Aesthetic
The pieces in the Bija Jagua line are finished in rich black with red accents, echoing the traditional use of the jagua fruit and bija seeds used by Indigenous Caribbean peoples as body paint and ceremonial pigment. These natural dyes held both artistic and spiritual significance in pre-colonial Taíno life, used to honor sacred stories, mark rites of passage, and express identity.  
Each work is handcrafted with deep respect for Indigenous traditions, and created to celebrate and keep alive the enduring spirit of Taíno cosmology.