Legend of Lake Titicaca
In this article we invite you to know the legend of Lake Titicaca where it is believed that beautiful mermaids appear, and from its depth gray pumas emerge, and that it is a culture where evil did not exist nor did they know civilization and that later they were educated by the god Inti. Do not stop getting excited to know the true content of Lake Titicaca.
What is the origin of the legend of Lake Titicaca?
The well-known Lake Titicaca is a water tributary that allows navigation and is the highest that could exist in the world. This lake is located on the Collao plateau, in the mountain range that borders the Andes between Peru and Bolivia.
Formerly, the world was plunged in darkness, it was only illuminated by the light of the moon when it was in its resplendent phases, otherwise its dim light barely reached the environment. One fine day, the solar star dawned in its brightest and most vigorous heat on a strong stone that was on an island.
The inhabitants near the island had the opportunity to discover a huge lake that occupied the great valley, and from that moment they baptized it with the name of Lake Titicaca, which also translates its name Lake Puma or Stone. They called the island as the island of the Sun, because it was in that place where the king of the stars appeared with his heat and light.
Legend has it that many years ago on this island lived some men who were white and bearded, among them there was one who was the most ruthless and barbarous and they named him chief of the Lupacas, which is the name given to the natives of Lake Titicaca. This man of bad feelings ordered that all the inhabitants who had the color of their skin different from his be murdered, he thought that they were sorcerers who possessed evil powers.
Likewise, in relation to the legend of Lake Titicaca they say that the Incas at that time had a majestic sanctuary lined in gold, a monastery for young people, and a convent for young virgins, who once a year all of these together carried out works Theatricals on Lake Titicaca in the light of the Moon and in the light of the Sun.
Lake Titicaca is enveloped by another story that makes mention of the origin, which we are also going to make known to you, according to the plains that were near the city of Chucuito, which are currently lined with the waters of Lake Titicaca, There was a prosperous town, that at some point a foreign woman arrived carrying on her back a huge jar or huakulla made of clay that had a lid that secretly sealed it. This woman begged the owners of a town house to give her an inn, because she was tired and dominated by sleep, she stayed that night to spend the night, they only reminded her of the rules of education that she should comply with during her stay.
The next day in the morning the woman wanted to continue with her trip, but she did not feel very well because she had a bad night, they did not offer her a comfortable bed to rest, nor did they give her food, the owners of the house let her lie down in a corner of the kitchen. Because of this, the woman felt weak and still remained tired, not being able to carry the jar she was carrying on her back, so she asked the owners of the house to keep it for her until she returned to look for it, and so it was. , they agreed to let him leave the jar while he was away. The woman warned them that they should not open it and that they should treat it with great care.
Many of the villagers were stung by strange ants and wondered if they would come out of the jar, because the lid should not be opened. The owners of the house could not bear the curiosity to open the jar with the faith that they could find something very important; When it was opened, a strong jet of water gushed out, which was so huge and strong that it flooded the entire town, the inhabitants did not have time to protect themselves from such a strong current of water. He was accompanied by various animals such as seagulls, flamingos, ducks and many kinds of birds and other creatures that currently live in the waters of Lake Titicaca to the rhythm of the jet of water.
Likewise, it is said that in some hours at night and at certain times, a city that vanished exclusively at that time is visualized in the crystal clear waters of the depth of Lake Titicaca, which is known as the bad moment.
The famous urban legend of Lake Titicaca is attributed to the famous and well-known chronicler of Inca origin named Garcilaso de La Vega, who took on the task of collecting information and anecdotes from the maternal lineage and the Inca nobility. This one placed Manco Cápac as the protagonist of the legend.
This character had his family whose wife was known as Mama Ocllo , with whom he fathered his successor Sinchi Roca, and later later he also had other wives known as Mama Huaco, who they say was a woman of strong character and studied. There are some researchers in the field of history who reason Manco Cápac as a mythical character, which makes them question his true existence as a character in Inca history. However, many of the authors maintain and respect him as a real and authentic character and that is based on evidence such as the descendants of his race called Chima Panaca, which preserved its space in the Inca royalty until the time of the conquest.
Likewise, they are based on archaeological facts such as its own temple, known as the Inticancha, which is currently called Coricancha, these two places remain in modern Cuzco and according to the chronicles they were built by Manco Cápac.
The author of the legend of Lake Titicaca also drew up many human and wise laws of character, punishing with strong condemnation those who committed suicide, adultery, theft, ordered that each man make his wife of his own race, but not be Before turning 20 years of age, he proposed that they perform rites to the sun for being the first deity, and he built a great sanctuary in Cuzco, and very close by a house for virgins who will consecrate themselves to the sun, who should fulfill with the only requirement that his royal blood came from the Inca gods.
The gray cougars
The word Titicaca, means in the Aymara language Gray Pumas, taking this into consideration, it is believed that ferocious pumas inhabited the depths of Lake Titicaca. Legend also has it that Apu Qullana Awki, the creator of the world, the earth, the sky, animals and human beings, at the end of his work he climbed to the top of the snow-covered hills to live in this place. He had a strong and powerful voice and told all living beings " be happy, always be calm in this paradise that I have formed for all of you, and live in peace and harmony." Apu Qullana Awki, forbade the men who lived in the village, access to the mountain where he had his home.
By that time people lived in perfect harmony; and they enjoyed a beautiful landscape that provided them with a spectacular valley, where then the lake lies.
A man said to him: “And why don't we go upstairs? We want to be powerful like you ” , and they proceeded to disobey the commandment that they had established among themselves. The disobedient men began to climb the hill, and they heard stormy and cruel roars so that all who marched were deafened and intoxicated with terror.
Then, Apu Qullana Awki, proceeded to order quantities of gray cougars to emerge from his caverns to devour all the people they encountered on the way, not a single one remaining alive. Father Sol tata Inti, upon observing the atrocious scene, began to cry inconsolably for a period of forty days and forty nights. The tears that flowed from the sadness of the Sun filled the beautiful valley until a deep lake was formed, even drowning the gray pumas in its waters. Few people survived these events, they exclaimed: "Qaqa titinakawa ..." which translates, " there, there are the gray pumas ... Titi-poop"
In this way, the Aymara tell their legend about the origin of their people, who are very grateful and give immense thanks to the Sun, Tata Inti or Wiracocha, and are faithful devotees of the Pachamama or Mother Earth.
The Ayar brothers
This legend tells the story of the brothers who were named: Ayar Manco and his wife Mama Ocllo; Ayar Cachi and Mama Cora; Ayar Uchu and Mama Rahua and finally, Ayar Auca and his wife Mama Huaco. It was a group of brothers who existed on Lake Titicaca and who were sent by their father, the god Inti , with the intention of reprimanding the wrong attitudes that the men who lived on Lake Titicaca were committing.
The four brothers with their respective wives look out of a window that they called Capatoco, the main window of the Temple, and the other three windows were inside a place called Tamputoco, which was located in the town known as Paucartambo in Peru, and that They were sent by their father, the god Inti, which means Sun, to civilize people because they acted uneducated and savage.
Observing the terrible state in which the lands were found, and that this was what caused poverty to the people who lived in Lake Titicaca, who decided to undertake the search to find a land that was fertile and useful to locate. The Ayar brothers took with them ten members who belonged to the Ayllus that refers to the Inca organization, which grouped ten families, who were leaving for the southwest.
But unfortunately they had a dispute that happened between Ayar Cachi, who had a strong and regal character, and the other people. His own brothers were jealous and wanted to annihilate him. They planned that evil, and sent him to return to the caves of Pacarina, which refers to a place of Quechua origin, to go and collect grains and water.
The other seven brothers and sisters, accompanied by the ayllus, continued their march and reached the Huanacauri mountain, there they evidenced an enormous stone deity that had the same name. The presence of such an idol made them fill their bodies and spirits with admiration, respect and even fear that they entered the temple where he was worshiped.
Brother Ayar Uchu, stood on the back of the symbol that was a statue and being instantly solidified, forming part of the sculpture. He suggested to his other brothers that they continue with the trip, as well as begged them to celebrate the Huarachico ceremony, or "initiation of the youth" in his memory.
Along the way, brother Ayar Auca was also transformed into a rock, this happened in the Pampa del Sol. Ayar Manco, followed by his other four brothers, arrived in the city of Cuzco where they found fertile and good lands. , that even his staff was easily buried in the ground, but he was able to extract it without using force, this gave a great sign of prosperity. They were delighted with the area so they decided to settle and stay to continue their existence.
Legend also says that two of the brothers who sadly continued on their way, and Ayar Uchu wanted to investigate a territory that was around, and to his amazement it was seen that he had large wings that allowed him to fly out to the pampas of the Sun, but once he stood in this place his body was also transformed into stone. That was when Ayar Manco proceeded to found a beautiful and prosperous city, in honor of the creator Viracocha and in the name of the Sun. This city is known as Cuzco, which is the heart in Quechua, the capital of Tahuantinsuyo, which is currently the Empire of the Four provinces.
There is another legend that makes mention of the Ayar Brothers, and that we are also going to make known to you, according to this ancient legend that in Peru there was in those times a great universal flood that destroyed the world, and that when the flood ended, There were four people who were brothers and who came out with their wives from the caves where they were sheltered. When they saw the destruction of the world, and that they were the only survivors of the flood, they went south in search of suitable lands to settle.
While Ayar Cachi was traveling, he was a man of strong character, he had problems with his other brothers, and in order not to continue with impasses with his brother, they told him to go look for food in a cave, when he entered inside it, they closed him the door and they put a huge and strong rock on it so that it would not come out again and be trapped forever. But he screamed so loudly in anger and despair that his screams cracked the mountains, the earth shook and even the sky.
The other brothers left the place and continued the march to the south, and found a stone symbol of the locals idolizing her. But Ayar Auca wanted to jump challenging on the rock, but he did not do it in a good way and he was transformed into stone forever along with the sculpture.
The mermaids of Lake Titicaca
It is believed that Lake Titicaca has the presence of mermaids, this is based on the stories of some tourists who came to this place to spend a few days of distraction and recreation. One day, while they were observing the beauty of the lake, beautiful mermaids jumped out of its waters, leaving tourists completely stunned.
According to fishermen and people who live in these areas, the mermaids seen in the lake come from ancient times. Also the grandparents who are familiar with the stories of Lake Titicaca testify that there were many people who died inside the lake, or came out of its water as if they were insane because of the enchantments that arise there. Many of the inhabitants say that at night it does not occur to them to go anywhere because they fear that a siren will appear to them, and the inhabitants know the time and moment when they are energetic.
Regarding the presence of mermaids in the legends of Lake Titicaca, in 2013 a television program was made exclusively dedicated to the true testimonies of the fishermen who witnessed a mermaid in this lake. The legend of mermaids on Lake Titicaca that was shown on television sounds a bit funny and like a comedy, but in fact there was even talk of professional anthropologists who explained the ecological probability of the existence of this myth.
Finally, in 2014 in Peru they made a report that was based on the story of a young man who the mermaids had kidnapped and taken to Pucallpa. It is presumed that this type of television work, although it shows to be serious and responsible, is made to attract the attention of superstitious people who live in the camps, and that there is no other explanation.
Story for children about Lake Titicaca
It was once, a small town with a very beautiful valley where happy people lived, however, these people looked more like wild animals, since they lived in cold caves, ate from game and collected animals that they prepared to eat.
The god Inti, when observing their lifestyle, feels compassion for these human beings, seeing how they lived in Lake Titicaca, so he asks his son Ayar Manco to go to the lake in the company of his daughter Mama Ocllo, so that he would teach the population customs and behave socially, and then build a mandate that would honor him.
His son known as Ayar Manco who was also called Manco Capac, had the order to build a beautiful city to represent the center of the world, and his father gave him a golden magic rod to help him find the desired land. He told them to travel to the northwest of Lake Titicaca and to bury the tip of the golden staff in the different lands where they walked, until they found a land where the golden rod sank without problems and remained firm, and in that place it is where he should build the city of Cuzco, which would be the place to build his majestic empire.
The hopeful brothers left the waters of Lake Titicaca behind, but the journey became tedious and long, as time went by and Manco Capac, it was not possible for him to find the appropriate ground where the golden staff would easily stay stuck. On their way, exhausted from so much walking, they came to a valley with a beautiful presence surrounded by majestic mountains, and the golden rod that his father had given him jumped and was stuck in the ground, causing great admiration and surprise. to Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo, they immediately understood that it was the appropriate place to transform it into Cuzco, the capital of the Inca Empire.
Immediately, the obedient son began the recommendation and work that his father had given him to civilize that land. In this valley where Lake Titicaca was, he taught the inhabitants agriculture, fishing, building their houses, and how to care for and maintain the animals. While Mama Ocllo's activity was to educate and teach women about household chores, and she taught them the art of weaving. This is how Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo were the pioneers in building the empire of which they would later be proud for their origins and for belonging to this beautiful and wonderful culture.
For these cultures, the legend of Lake Titicaca is very important and famous, it also has another fable about its appearance and that we are going to tell.
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful valley that was surrounded by gigantic and high mountains, located in the territory between the north of Bolivia and the south of Peru. The men and women lived so happy that they did not know what it was to worry about food, clothing or anything, which turned out to be the famous Lake Titicaca.
There were some gods of the mountains called Apus, and they were interested so that these inhabitants had everything they needed for their existence, from food to clothing. As well as they protected them from risks and sacrifices. The Apus gods gave him all the elements so that life in this lake of Titicaca would become more comfortable and easy, and the only thing they asked him in return was that none of the men occurred to climb the mountains where the sacred fire remained lit.
Men were always attentive and obedient to what their gods ordered them, until the evil devil arrived, and seeing so much peace and harmony, he began to intrigue men to compete with who was the bravest, with what he intended. challenge the gods.
The men motivated by the devil, decide to climb the mountain to see which was the sacred fire that was lit, but to their surprise the Apus went to meet the men halfway, and when they realized that they had disobeyed they proceeded to eliminate them. They asked the greater gods for authorization to release the gray pumas that inhabited the depths of Lake Titicaca from the caves so that they would eat them and not remain alive.
Men in the midst of their despair and anguish pray to the devil, but he rejected them, because he had already achieved what he wanted. From the sky, the god Inti wept bitterly for what he was seeing, that from so many tears that came from his eyes, he filled the valley of water. In this massacre, only one man and one woman were left alive because they were together inside a boat.
When the sun rose again, thanks to the clarity, they observed a number of dead pumas among the waters of Lake Titicaca that were turned into stones like statues. Finally the couple baptized the lake as Titicaca which wants to express the lake of the Stone Pumas.
