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The Monster of Lake Tota is a legendary aquatic animal known in many works as diablo ballena (English: "devil whale") and is an inhabitant of Lake Tota in Colombia. The Muisca, who inhabited the Altiplano Cundiboyacense, believed this monster was living in Lake Tota. The earliest reference in modern history was made by the conquistador Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada. He described the monster as "A fish with a black head like an ox and larger than a whale" (Lucas Fernández de Piedrahita, 1676) and Antonio de Alcedo, 1788 )). The monster was also defined as "a monstrous fish", "a black monster", and even as "the Dragon" and as a "divine animal archetype" (2012).
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Description
The description of the monster of Lake Tota is limited to historical references and what is known within the study of Muisca mythology. A report of an alleged sighting took place in 1652. The legend of the monster of Lake Tota also analyzed using cryptozoology, a pseudoscience has ties to cases such as the Loch Ness monster (Nessie) in Scotland, the monster of Lake Nahuel Huapi (Nahuelito) in Argentina, or "The Hide" of the Mapuche mythology in Argentina and Chile (relates to a serpent monster made of various animal hides).
Muisca ancestral conception
When discussing the issue of the monster of Lake Tota in regards to Muisca ancestry, it must be placed in the context of their respective culture. This culture was independent, as advanced as the better known Inca and Maya civilizations and very different from the colonial thought that arrived with the Spanish colonization of the Americas in the 15th century.
From the Muisca language
Mariana Escribano, a doctorate in Literature, History and Semiotics from the Paris-Sorbonne University and a scientific linguist and expert in the Muisca language - said:
"(...) About the monster of Lake Tota (...). The monster is none other than the MUYSO AKYQAKE the Dragon, which in short contains the words QAKE and MUYSO, in Cundinamarca, the forest of the Dragon is dedicated to the archetypal divine animal and is named forest of TCHIQAKE."
The monster of Lake Tota could be an archetypal divine animal that was associated as a dragon.
The mythical origin of Lake Tota
Stories of the mythical origin of Lake Tota mention that “Monetá", the wise old indigenous priest, was preparing the "already extensive and powerful Muisca Confederation" to "exorcise the cruel and evil spirit, Busiraco" in the ancient cavity that now forms Lake Tota. Here’s mention of the monstrous animal that lived there:
"And there, in that immense natural cavity of our history, dusty and sun-cracked earth, lived a big black snake, with eyes that shined. It advanced cautiously to the entrance of the great cave every night to await the giant fireball that now comes every night. Before entering the depths of the earth, Busiraco let out a loud laugh of triumph that echoed ironically in the remotest limits of Earth and filled the hearts of the Chibcha naives with terror. "
The ceremony spell against Busiraco aimed at resolving the suffering of summer and water shortages, led to the creation of Lake Tota; the monster is also mentioned as a snake, when he was fatally attacked:
"Siramena [who "Monetá" referred to as "the great dancer" ], danced with graceful and flexible movements turning faster and faster with each spin, and suddenly became still in front of the large painted rock, shrine of the goddess of water. She then lifted his head and took out a shiny gold disc from her clothes and offered it to the goddess; after making it gleam in the sun for a moment, she hurled it with great force against the snake. Its sharp edges were deeply embedded in the snake's body and then disappeared into the black scales of the reptile. The monster was mortally wounded. His repulsive movements became convulsive as he tried to attack one last time but his strength failed him. He lifted his tail and then dropped it loudly onto the dusty floor; then he stretched out to his full length and his body lay lifeless."
The "black snake" and the creation of the lake:
"Moneta removed from his breast a valuable gem. He thought for a moment. A tear rolled down his cheeks and took form as a diamond in the green case of an immense emerald [reserved for the Muisca "High Priest" , originally delivered by the prophet "Bochica" when introducing indigenous priesthood]. He lifted the gem in his right hand and threw it hard into the abyss. The gem flashed through the air like brilliant embers of green. The crowd looked blank with amazement; the gemstone landed exactly on top of the lifeless black snake. And then...a miracle! The stone lost its natural hardness. The miracle manifested and the purest green waves started appearing and appearing. The vast gulf was filled with transparent waters fringed white foam. The people were amazed and could not comprehend what they saw."