Bachué - Muisca

The water of the high mountain lake was cool and still, like a mirror reflecting the bright blue sky. My name is Bachué, and long ago, I rose from the shimmering depths of Lake Iguaque with a little boy held gently in my arms. We were the very first people, and this is the story of how we filled the world with life, the myth of Bachué, the mother of the Muisca people. The sun warmed our skin, the birds sang a welcome song, and the earth felt soft beneath our feet. Our journey was just beginning, and we had so much to share with the world that was waiting for us.

As the little boy grew into a strong and kind man, we traveled together across the mountains and valleys. Everywhere we went, we had children, and soon the land was filled with the sounds of their laughter. These were the first Muisca families. We didn't just give them life; we taught them everything they needed to know. I showed them how to plant seeds like corn and potatoes, so they would always have food. We taught them how to build cozy homes from clay and reeds to keep them safe and warm. We also taught them how to be good to each other and to respect the earth, the rivers, and the mountains, because all of nature was our family. They learned to make beautiful things from gold, not because it was valuable, but because it shone like the sun, our great father, Sua. They learned to weave warm blankets from cotton and to honor the gods who watched over them. The world became a busy, happy place, full of villages and farms, all thanks to the lessons we shared.

After many, many years, our work was done. The land was full of our children and grandchildren, and they knew how to live happily and take care of the world. My husband and I were very old, and it was time for us to go home. We said goodbye to everyone and walked back to the place where we first appeared: the sacred Lake Iguaque. As we reached the shore, we transformed into two great snakes and slipped silently back into the cool, clear water. Though we disappeared, we never truly left. The Muisca people knew that we were always watching over them from the heart of the lake. Today, this story is still told in the mountains of Colombia. It reminds people that all life comes from nature and that we must protect our beautiful world. It inspires artists to paint our story and helps everyone remember that we are all connected, like one big family born from the water.