| Chibchacum | |
|---|---|
Rain, Storms, Thunder, Lightning and Earthquakes | |
| Member ofMuisca religion | |
| Other names | Chichebachun[1] |
| Affiliation | Sué (Sun) Cuchavira (rainbow) Chaquén (fertility) |
| Region | Altiplano Cundiboyacense |
| Ethnic group | Muisca |
Chibchacum orChichebachun is therain andthunder god in thereligion of the Muisca who inhabited theAltiplano Cundiboyacense inpre-Columbian times.
In myth, when 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, causingCuchavira to appear, the people offered low-grade gold orgold-copper alloys (tumbaga), marinesnails and smallemeralds to thank him.
One tale tells how the Muisca venerated a rock and worshippedBochica. Chibchacum was very angry and rebelled against Bochica. He went down toEarth and noticed awoman, Chié coming to get some water. Chibchacum wooed her into joining his rebellion, promising that Chié would be his queen once Bochica was finished. Chié joined, and soon everybody was fighting, believing that they were better than others and lying. This caused a civil war. Chié was cursed by Bochica and was turned into abarn owl. His plan foiled, Chibchacum plotted his revenge. He had his revenge by speaking an evil incantation causing a huge flood. The people screamed to Bochica telling them to let them live and in return they would worship Bochica. So, once Bochica created agreat waterfall to wash away the floodwaters, he knew he had to punish Chibchacum. Bochica cursed Chibchacum by forcing him to carry Mother Earth on his back.[2] To this day the Muisca believe that when there is an earthquake, it is Chibchacum shifting his heavy load.[3]
