Cuchavira

Cuchavira
Rainbow
Member of Muisca religion

Cuchavira at sacred Lake Guatavita
Other names Cuchaviva
Affiliation Chibchacum (rain)
Sué (Sun)
Greek equivalent Iris
Region Altiplano Cundiboyacense
 Colombia
Ethnic group Muisca

Cuchavira or Cuchaviva was the god of the rainbow, protector of working women and the sick in the religion of the Muisca.[1] The Muisca and their confederation were one of the four advanced civilizations of the Americas and in the fertile intermontane valley that forms the Altiplano Cundiboyacense in the Andes rain and sun were both very important for their agriculture. Moreover, in those days the Bogotá savanna consisted of various swamps and floodings were regular.

Description

Tumbaga, a gold-copper alloy used for offerings and crafts
Museo del Oro, Bogotá

Cuchavira, who was called "shining air", appeared before the Muisca when Bochica, the messenger of the supreme being Chiminigagua was sent to the plains of the Muisca. Also when rain god Chibchacum was angry, he sent heavy rains to the flatlands, causing the rivers to flood, destroying the agriculture and the houses (bohíos) of the Muisca. When the rains were over and the Sun was shining again, causing Cuchavira to appear, the people offered low-grade gold or gold-copper alloys (tumbaga), marine snails and small emeralds to thank him.[2][3]

See also

Muisca
Muisca religion, Nencatacoa

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cuchavira.
  1. ↑ Ocampo López, 2013, Ch. 8, p.53
  2. ↑ Ocampo López, 2013, Ch. 8, p.54
  3. ↑ (Spanish) Description Cuchavira - Pueblos Originarios - accessed 23-04-2016

Bibliography

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 12/4/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.