- The 3 main myths of the Caribbean region of Colombia
- 1- Origin of the Serranía de la Macuira
- 2- Bochica, the master of the Muiscas
- 3- Bachué and the creation of the world
- References
The myths of the Caribbean region of Colombia are part of popular culture and superstitions, and are associated with the origin of the world and the birth of the stars.
These myths are also related to the formation of nature and the ancestors of the tribes that populated this part of the country.
Bochica, the master of the Muiscas.
There are many myths in the Colombian Caribbean: the origin of light, Madre Mar and the worlds, the birth of the Moon and the Sun, the Tikunas populate the Earth, Madre Mar and the worlds and the red bufeo.
But there are three myths that are considered the most important in the Caribbean region of Colombia: the origin of the Serranía de la Macuira; Bochica, the master of the Muiscas; and Bachué and the creation of the world.
The 3 main myths of the Caribbean region of Colombia
1- Origin of the Serranía de la Macuira
In the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta a cacique lived in his hut with his three children. Every day he watched the faces of his children while they slept. He once dreamed that they left for the north of La Guajira.
This dream repeatedly haunted him. One night in March, already very anguished by the dream and by the idea of losing his children, he got up to check if his children were staying with him. Then he was surprised to see that they were no longer in his bedroom.
Alarmed, he left the hut and looked north, where he saw three peaks rising; he verified that his three sons were there converted in the Serranía de La Macuira.
2- Bochica, the master of the Muiscas
Bochica was a venerable old man with white skin and blue eyes; He had very long white beards and always wore a large blanket that covered his entire body. He came to the tribe accompanied by his wife, a white younger than him.
The old man was very good with the Indians and they loved him very much. He taught them many useful things and to be good men.
In contrast, the Bochica woman never loved the Indians; on the contrary, she always tried to harm them.
Once, taking advantage of Bochica's absence, his wife flooded the savannah causing great damage to the houses and cement plants of the Indians. When Bochica returned to the village, the Indians complained to him about what had happened.
Outraged by his bad behavior, Bochica turned his wife into an owl. He immediately went to the mountains that surround the savannah and touched the rocks with a magic wand, which immediately opened to give way to the birds. And so the Tequendama waterfall was formed.
One day Bochica disappeared across the rainbow, where he is seen when people watch from the Tequendama waterfall.
3- Bachué and the creation of the world
One early morning, Bachué, the Chibcha mother, left the Iguaque lagoon carrying a naked child in her arms. She was a very beautiful woman, whose black hair covered her entire body.
She appeared radiant, brunette, smooth, with round and firm breasts. So, Bachué settled to live among the Chibchas and gained their trust and affection.
He taught the Indians the rules for maintaining order among themselves and peace with neighboring tribes.
The boy grew up. Bachué, who was in charge of populating the earth, began to be fertilized by it. She had multiple births, which were multiplying more and more, until finally she fully populated the Earth.
He traveled through the towns leaving children and teachings. Suddenly his lush body was lined with wrinkles. Then, sad and without warning, she returned to the Iguaque lagoon, accompanied by the father of her children.
When he jumped into the water, he became a snake, which is the symbol of intelligence of the chibchas.
And so, Bachué became the mother of humanity and source of life. The natives say that from time to time she appears in the form of a snake on nights with a full moon.
References
- Colombia's Myths and Legends. Retrieved on October 19, 2017 from colombia.co
- Caribbean region of Colombia. Consulted of en.wikipedia.org
- Myths Retrieved October 19, 2017 from colombia.com
- Bochica, great master of the Muicas. Consulted of ancient knowledge.blogspot.com
- The Caribbean Region. Consulted of colombiapatrimoniocultural.wordpress.com
- Colombian Legends - Myths and Legends of Colombia. Consulted of todacolombia.com