El Batéy by Rafael Rivera García (Interpretation and Analysis)
Murals del Batéy
Photo Credit: José Oliver-Didier
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Today, I want to talk about the Batéy murals, located under an overpass in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I’ve seen these murals multiple times on various trips to Puerto Rico; however, I have to admit that I never considered their significance as art until I started writing this blog.
According to my research, these murals were created by Neorican muralist Rafael Rivera García in 1979 in honor of the Pan American Games, which were held in San Juan that year. The murals depict the pre-Columbian people of Puerto Rico — the Tainos — playing a game called Batu, which involved keeping a rubber ball in the air without using hands or feet. The game was ceremonial in nature, carrying deep cultural importance for the Tainos.
Murals del Batéy
Photo Credit: José Oliver-Didier
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This point of view is representative of a larger resurgence of interest in Taino and pre-Columbian culture that began around the 1960s. The message of this movement (and, by extension, this mural) is clear: the past is part of what we do now, it is relevant, and it is important.
Disclaimer: I’m not an art historian or an expert on this topic. The above is my opinion, based on my interpretation of my foreknowledge of art and history. If I’ve done any additional research, I’ll note it above.
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