When we described the Amazonía Ecuatoriana, it should be understood as an area of biodiversity, peace, and culture. However, this territory goes beyond that. Upon entering this place you can perceive the synergy, mysticism, and spirituality of Pachamama. Under this context, the intangible cultural heritage that this region has is linked to the ancestral knowledge of the different communities. These, over the years, have developed skills and knowledge through connection with nature for its dissemination. One of the ways to transmit this knowledge is through the stories and legends that each community has and the way in which they have been told for generations. This, in turn, makes people know and create a link with the cosmos in order to strengthen their spiritual part. Put in context, some of the best-known myths and legends of the Amazon are presented:
Quilla and Inti
It is mentioned that on the banks of the Jatun Yacu River (tena), there was a community. In the house of the Great Chief a girl named Quilla was born, on the other hand, in the house of the “Shaman” a boy named Inti was born. As time passed, the two grew up and fell in love. They were both people who shared common tastes. One of them was protection and respect for nature. One day, the community and the region experienced sudden changes in weather. Seeing this, they decided to seek help from the gods, who were among the highest mountains. Once there, they begged to save their people. These prayers allowed the gods to change their spirits to defend nature. Inti became a resplendent being to offer life and warmth to humans, while Quilla became Luna to care for species and people’s spirits. As a strong love, the gods cautioned that they would not be able to unite and that each element must fulfill its duty.
Misahualli’s anaconda
This legend tells the relationship between the environment and the Shuar community. He mentions that, many years ago, this community would suffer colonization and visits by “Mishus” which means “white people.” The gods Inti (sun) and Quilla (moon) unleashed torrential rains and total darkness upon this community, allowing evil spirits to rise from the depths of the water. They dispatched “Amarun,” a formidable 20-meter anaconda, for protection. This is how it took all the white people to finally submerge themselves in the river and wait to come out again to claim what was theirs.
It is mentioned that only the “uwishin,” or the wisest and longest-lived people, can carry out a ritual to awaken this being and carry out its power of healing, protection, and offerings to nature.
The great stone of the puma
The interior of the Amazon houses protective or destructive species. According to tradition, a puma, the king of felines, lived in the Napo-Galeras mountain range and often hunted in Pumayacu. A pregnant woman walked by a river. After seeing her fragility, the cats attacked her but found two toddlers inside and placed them in a basket for the next day. However, the birth of these twins was the work of the divinity of Quilla.
Their names are Astro and Lucero. When a new day arrived, the children had already grown, taking the form of teenagers, managing to escape. They devised several ways to hunt the felines. One day, when the felines were in their cave, the twins transformed into pumas. They managed to block the entrance and exit, which resulted in total darkness. The huge cats roared in terror and helplessness and died. As the moonlight fell, it enveloped the twins, leading them to meet them.
The rucu yayas (grandparents) say the cats came down and marked a huge stone to start the community hunt. However, the gods always protected them by sending signs or nature spirits.
Dragon’s Blood
In a remote and deep area of the Amazon, there lives an indigenous community, ruled by an old man and a chief who has a daughter named Sány. She was characterized as an admired young woman. However, she didn’t care about other people’s feelings. As the days passed, Sány became more disgusted and earned a nickname: “the one who never cries.”
When winter came, all the rivers overflowed, causing destruction and the people reproached Sány for his attitude. One day, the people asked Rucu Huarmy (old woman) about Sány, who very wisely answered: only crying can end the gale. Days passed; while Sány was walking through a cloudy forest, people approached him for help. The old woman recited a curse against her after she refused. She soon underwent a total transformation, her body branching out to become a dragon’s blood tree. Since then all nature has manifested itself with this new species in order to be the relief of others.
Story of Connection
The Amazon keeps and protects secrets that are foreign to people. Mother Nature provides and takes away from situations of vulnerability and that makes her role important in maintaining a constant balance of energy.
Myths and legends are heritage that each indigenous community possesses, whether for educational or social purposes. These are the reflections of their identity and our duty is to protect and disseminate them in order not to cause the loss of social memory.
