This remarkable object is a Taíno vomit spatula, originating from the Caribbean. It dates from the 13th to the 15th century and is crafted from manatee bone, a material commonly used in Taíno ritual objects.
The spatula served an important ceremonial purpose. Taíno shamans used it to induce vomiting as a form of physical and spiritual purification prior to the cohoba ceremony—a ritual involving the ingestion of hallucinogenic substances to communicate with the spirit world.
The design of such spatulas is often carefully executed. The handle is frequently carved in the shape of a human or animal figure, reflecting both skilled craftsmanship and the symbolic significance attributed to the object.
This artifact originates from the period before European colonization of the Caribbean and offers valuable insight into the spiritual practices and artistic traditions of the Taíno culture.