The Stories of Borikén: Museo El Cemí and Museo Casa Canales

Grassroots Museums in Boriken Need Support To Sustain

During our lunch in Jayuya, we had the opportunity to visit two important cultural landmarks: the Museo El Cemí (Cemi Museum) and Museo Casa Canales (Canales House Museum). Both sites offer a unique grassroots glimpse into Borikua history and serve as vital spaces for education and cultural preservation, yet they seem to face significant challenges due to limited resources.

Broken Mural Art

The Cemi Museum, established in 1989, is a uniquely shaped structure designed by Efrén Badía Cabrera, an architect from Río Piedra. It was designed to resemble a three-pointed cemi, a sacred object in Taíno spirituality that reflects the mountains of the region and our staple crop Yuca. Inside, visitors can explore artifacts that connect us to the daily life and cosmology of Borikén’s Indigenous people. It features beautiful murals of petroglyphs and an ancestor on the ceiling. Despite its significance, the museum clearly struggles with underfunding. There is no security system to protect the collections, which has led to past thefts still visible by their empty display sockets and damage to artwork as seen above. The lack of climate control threatens the preservation of delicate artifacts and the comfort of museum visitors. The hours of the museum are posted online, however, despite its small dedicated staff, the hours are not always consistent. The museum relies on small donations of $1–$2 for entry, highlighting the urgent need for greater financial support.

Across the plaza lies Museo Casa Canales which offers a different but equally rich perspective on Puerto Rico’s history. This museum is a reconstruction of Don Rosario Canales Quintero’s late 19th-century residence. He was one of Jayuya's founders in 1883 and its first mayor in 1911 when Jayuya became an independent municipality. He had two children who left a lasting impact on Puerto Rican history. His son, Nemesio Canales, gained recognition as a prominent poet, playwright, and advocate for women's legal rights. His daughter, Blanca Canales Torresola, became a key figure in the Puerto Rican nationalist movement. The museum showcases the architectural style and domestic life of that era with detailed recreations of the room layouts, cooking supplies, and furnishings of the time. The displays hold art, writing, and pamphlets from resistance movements in Boriken through leaders like the revolutionary Pedro Albizu Campos since the site was once the headquarters of the Afeitó de Jayuya in 1950. However, like the Cemi Museum, it faces challenges related to funding, limiting its ability to enhance and maintain exhibits where its admission price is only $1.

Both sites play a critical role in preserving Borikua history. Museo El Cemí focuses on Taíno heritage, connecting visitors to the island's Indigenous roots, while the Museo Casa Canales sheds light on Jayuya’s historical significance during the colonial period. Together, they tell a story of resilience, cultural continuity, and the importance of safeguarding our past for future generations. While their low admission prices keep the spaces accessible, without more supportive funding, these spaces lack full access to proper ventilation, security, and climate control to keep their collections preserved. It is our hope we can support the legacy of grassroots institutions like these in the years to come. We must invest in our cultural continuity as a community.

About the Cemi Museum

The Cemi Museum, located in Jayuya, Puerto Rico, was established in 1989 and is dedicated to preserving Taíno culture. Its iconic design reflects the sacred three-pointed cemi, symbolizing Taíno spirituality. The museum’s collection includes artifacts, carvings, and cultural items that provide insight into the spiritual and everyday lives of Puerto Rico’s Indigenous people.

About Museo Casa Canales

The Museo Casa Canales is a reconstructed version of the original home of Don Rosario Canales Quintero. This late 19th-century residence offers visitors a glimpse into the domestic and architectural history of the region. The museum celebrates Jayuya’s historical leadership and cultural identity, contributing to a deeper understanding of Borikua history.