
The Guarani Legend of Iguazu Falls, Argentina
S 25° 41.867 W 054° 26.413
21J E 756882 N 7155295
The legend behind Iguazu Falls makes this location a literary site.
Waymark Code: WMPWV9
Location: Argentina
Date Posted: 10/31/2015
Views: 33
The legend behind Iguazu Falls is an ancient tale, one that has been told to generations that have been born and lived in the Atlantic Rain Forest. Centuries ago, before the Spanish arrived, the lands and forests around Igauzu Falls was the land of the Guarani Indian tribe. Each year the tribe would sacrifice a beautiful young girl to the Serpent God that resided in the ferocious river. These young women were usually unattached girls who had no hope of marriage. Once, however, a young Indian maiden named Naipi was chosen to be sacrificed, however, unlike the girls before her, she had been promised to marry with Taruba.
When Naipi learned what her fate would be she was horribly upset. She walked along the river one day, before her marriage, and the Serpent God M'Boi saw Naipi and desired her. When the tribesmen learned that M'Boi desired Naipi, they feared upseting the Serpent, being fully aware his father was the Supreme God of All, and the tribesmen made plans to sacrifice Naipi the day before her wedding.
Naipi and her lover Taruba heard of the plans and tried to secret away but M'Boi caught sight of them, just as Taruba and Naipi were climbing into a canoe. A great struggle of power began; Taruba paddled as hard as he could, trying to stay ahead of the Serpent, and the Serpent caused great curves to be formed in the river to slow them down. The serpent caused the water to rush and roar, and caused the river to spill over the cracked earth, sending the two lovers down into a spiral, until M'Boi realized he was hurting Naipi also! Quickly the serpent changed Naipi into a rock so she could not get away. Taruba reached out to Naipi but was too late; she was a large rock. Taruba did not want to leave her side so he reached around the rock and planted himself there, forever by her side, and became a palm tree.
Now, with M'Boi happy with his revenge, but ever jealous, the raging serpent keeps the waters storming and angry at all times, rushing between the rocks and the forest, to keep them apart for ever more.
Short Description: The river, falls, rocks and forest are the location
 Book Title: The Guarani Legend of Iguazu Falls
 First Year Published: Centuries ago
 Author's Name: Anonymus
 Name of Waymarked Item: Iguazu Falls
 Location of Item: Argentina
 More Information: The site is the location where the entire story plays out; it is the river, the boulders in the river and the trees at the shore.
 Admission Price?: 260.00 (listed in local currency)
 Link to more information about the book or waymarked item.: [Web Link]

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