The traditional Muiscas stories inhabit in between mountains, lakes, and places full of a
special mysticism. El Dorado Legend Route involves sacred narrations, heroic tales, and
events that invite reflection and understanding. This journey is the best way to discover
more about Sue, Chía, Bachué, Bochica, Chiminigagua, Tundama, and more character
who speak of a past that nowadays is legend.
The genesis of all for the Muiscas laid on Chiminigagua, the supreme god, who
represented the birth of the Universe by union of cosmic energy. Chiminigagua sent two
birds hosting energy and light, who would provide the earth with shape. They were: The
Sun (Sue), the day; and The Moon (Chía), the night. When it was all done, Chiminigagua
commanded to honor The Sun and its wife The Moon. Adoring these stars, Muiscas
adored the Supreme Being.
The birth of man and the earth’s population is assigned to Bachué, Muisca people´s
mother. It is said she emerged from Lake Iguaque holding a boy in her arms. When the
boy became a man, they conceived children and that is how population grew. When the
earth was fully inhabited, they both (already elderly) came back to the Lake and turned into
a snake who submerged into the water until they disappeared.
The civilizing father of Muisca community was Bochica, who was not strictly a god, but a
pilgrim that brought in corn and potato (essential food still nowadays). This wiseman
taught the ancient settlers farming, gastronomy, astrology, meteorology, medicine, textile
work, goldsmithing, the use of salt and set up laws for peaceful interaction among towns.
He was Muiscas’ savior from the big flood (a kind of divine retribution) which almost swept
them out of existence. Powerful Bochica grabbed his cane and raised a dike, known today
as Salto del Tequendama, in order to drain Bacatá´s savannah and save Muiscas.
Another historical Muisca character was Tundama or Sayoso. He was Lord of Duitama
(Boyacá). This brave cacique lined up a legion of ten thousand men and went against
Spaniard’s dominance. While most of Muisca territory fell down sacked, he leaded the
resistance and in many occasions faced Spaniard troops; he also rejected truces and
reminded the extermination of Muisca Zipas and Zaques. Even though he stood tall, the
Spaniard cavalry was superior and took Duitama. He was cruelly murdered after being
caught as prisoner.
Many stories intertwine around Muisca universe and El Dorado Legend Route is your
chance to live them. Come to discover!
