MYTHS OF BOLIVIA, LEGENDS AND MOST POPULAR STORIES

Learn which are the most important and popular Myths of Bolivia of all time. Below we will present some of the horror and urban stories that have had the most impact among Bolivians and how they have managed to endure over time.

Myths of Bolivia

On this occasion we are going to learn a little more about the main Myths of Bolivia that are part of the religious and cultural beliefs of this country located in South America. Among the most popular stories are some related to mysterious apparitions such as goblins and the woman who turned into a bird.

Bolivia is a nation widely famous for its rich culture and folklore. It is believed to be one of the countries with the highest cultural level on the continent and is characterized by its diverse mythology. Its culture has been adapted by the predominance of an enormous variety of ethnic groups that have populated its territory, and the European trace marked by Spanish colonization.

The wide variety of Bolivian mythology featuring at least 36 ethnic cultures is a secret to no one. It is important to note that each Bolivian culture has its own mythology and legends, most of them talk about the origins, beliefs or history of a people. Just as there are so many cultures in Bolivia, there are also hundreds of myths and legends which we will talk about below.

The legend of Imaybé and Iniguazu Chiriguana

According to Bolivian mythology, Imaybé and Iniguazu were a couple belonging to the Chiriguano tribe that strongly resisted invasion attempts by the Spanish since the beginning of the colonization period. History reveals to us that Imaybé was the daughter of the chief and Iniguazu was one of the most important fighters or warriors within the tribe.

These two characters were married and expecting their first child. On one occasion, Spanish troops raided the village, burning everything down and killing men, women and children. Although the Chiriguano warriors used all their strength to defend themselves, they were overwhelmed by superior weaponry and many fell in action, including Imaybé’s father and husband.

She was in the last month of pregnancy and ran into the forest in a desperate effort to save her daughter’s life, while praying to the god Tumpa to help her. It is said that the god heard her cry and turned her into u toborochi at the precise moment when a group of Spanish soldiers were about to fall on the survivors as she ran to kill them. This is how they managed to save themselves, disguising themselves as a tree.

Legend of Lake Titicaca

According to Bolivian myths, the mountain gods had placed the people in a fertile valley where they prospered under their protection. It is narrated that life was good and the people were very happy, things will continue to be that way as long as they obeyed the only restriction of the Apus which consisted of never climbing the mountain where a sacred fire burned perpetually.

While it is true that the people complied with the order, the Devil was not very happy to see them and it was there that he persuaded them to compete among them to see who was brave and dared to challenge the gods and climb the forbidden mountain. The majority agreed to go in search of the sacred fire but unfortunately, the Apus captured them halfway, exterminated them and sent pumas to eat those who remained in the valley.

This Bolivian myth tells that upon seeing the destruction of his creatures, Inti the sun god cried for a long time, causing a flood in the valley. It is said that only one couple managed to survive the torrent of tears in a reed boat. After the flood passed, they found themselves in the middle of a large lake, which had drowned the pumas sent by the Apus, turning them into stone statues. The lake was called Titicaca

The legend of creation

One of the most famous Bolivian Myths in history has to do with the beginning of creation, where the god Viracocha created an Earth without light, which was inhabited by giants who did not respect or obey him. Given that, the god Viracocha caused a great flood that wiped out all humanity on the planet. Afterwards, he decided to create new people, in a shape and size similar to his own, to instruct them he sent a delegate named Viracochan.

History says that Viracocha was a wise man who was responsible for teaching humans all the techniques, skills and healing methods necessary for life.

The myth says that Viracocha was responsible for founding the city of Cuzco (present-day Peru), created a person from whom the Quechua people descended, and prophesied the arrival of a great empire governed by them.

It is said that not all humans obeyed or respected Viracochan. Some mocked him and turned to stone. Once he fulfilled his goal on Earth, the divine envoy entered the depths of the waters and disappeared forever.

Legend of Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo

It could also be considered another of the most popular Bolivian Myths in history. This one talks about two heroes called Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo. The myth says that upon seeing the deplorable state in which human beings lived, the sun god Inti decided to create a couple and send them to Earth to create a civilization.

It is said that they appeared from the foaming waters of Titicaca, walking above the waters to the Island of the Sun, in the middle of the lake, with a golden wand in their hands that would show them the place where the new civilization would begin.

The couple moved to a place called Huanacauri, where the goldenrod was planted in the ground – this was the ideal place – and disappeared.

After that, the man Manco Capac began to teach humans agricultural skills and activities related to animal husbandry, while his sister and wife Mama Ocllo instructed women in domestic tasks and raising children. The Inca emperors claimed that they descended from this couple and, therefore, from the sun god himself.

Legend of the whistle bird

When we talk about Silbaco, according to Bolivian mythology, we are referring to a bird with a strange call and whose appearance is said to be too shocking to the point that those unlucky enough to see it can lose their hearing or suffer heart attacks. lightning strikes that end their lives.

This myth says that initially the sound of the whistling bird dreams as if it were actually a whistle, but as it gets closer and closer, that sound becomes more of a screech that completely paralyzes your heart. The story goes that on one occasion, a very hardworking man who had a wife and two children, transformed into a strange creature, half man and half bird.

This man’s wife, worried, asked for help from the town priest who did everything he could but none of that prevented Pedro’s metamorphosis from turning into an ugly, black bird with a sharp call to which the villagers call Silbaco. The myth says that the man was now a bird that fled into the forest, never to be seen again. At night you could hear his whistle but no one could see him.

The legend of the Tunupa volcano and its son Colchani

This Bolivian Myth tells that in ancient times, natural formations known as volcanoes had the ability to walk and talk. They were mostly male, except for one named Tunupa who was a woman. This volcano, the story says, that she became pregnant and gave birth to a small volcano whose father was unknown.

It is said that before the birth of this volcano son, the male volcanoes began to argue among themselves to find out who the father was, given that they had all had a relationship with the female volcano. They proceeded to snatch the young volcano and hid it in a distant plain called Colchani. Furious at this situation, the gods decided that the volcanoes would no longer walk or speak and would remain paralyzed like stones.

The story reveals that, unable to walk and therefore unable to rescue her son, Tunupa began to cry white, milky tears that completely flooded the entire plain and formed the salt plains of Uyuni. The Colchani volcano, Tunupa’s son, is similar to her and also regrets not being able to go see her mother.

The destruction of Huari

There are many myths that talk about the destruction of Huari. Most of these stories indicate that there was an evil god named Huari who one day decided to confront the Urus tribe for having followed the path of good. He sent plagues and monsters like snakes and toads to destroy the population, but the Virgin of Socavón came to his aid and fought with the god until he fled and hid where no one else could find him.

Oboish

Within the mythology of Bolivia there are also some beliefs of mysterious diseases similar to the evil eye, but in this case they are deadly and are called Oboist or Malpuesto. This evil can only be cured by witches who sell their soul to the devil. Remedies range from holy water to whips with ribbons made from animal skin.

The elves

As in other parts of the continent, in Bolivian mythology there are also mysterious characters called elves or goblins. The different versions speak of white clothing, hats and other particular attire, but they all share a hypothesis and that is that they are children whose eyes show evil.

According to most of these Bolivian myths, these creatures died before being baptized and are now playing tricks on their victims. Some stories claim that it has an iron fist and with it it hits whoever it finds, other stories relate it to murders.

Short legends of Bolivia

When we refer to the legends of Bolivia we are talking about those stories belonging to the fantastic genre that began to be told many years ago, one could even say that some of these legends date back to the time when writing was not yet known. as we understand it today.

A good part of the chronicles that were born in ancient times in Bolivia are said to come from before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors to South American lands. Most of the stories are related to themes that have to do with the origin of the universe or the appearances of animals or mythological creatures.

The Legend of the Merry Widow

It is said that approximately two centuries ago, Martín went to the town festival, because his younger brothers had insisted a lot on him to accompany them to the celebration. Martín could be said to be a very reserved man who spent most of his time working. They arrived at the party site and Martín’s brothers quickly found someone to dance with.

For his part, he preferred to sit in a corner and wait for the party to end. Just then he is approached by a beautiful woman, thin with eyes…