Iraca and Ramiriquí: The Muisca Myth of the Origin of Humans, the Sun, and the Moon

An ancient Muisca (Chibcha) myth recounts that the origin of humanity, the Sun, and the Moon occurred thanks to the caciques Iraca (also known as Ráquira) and Ramiriquí.

In the beginning, all of creation was covered in profound darkness. The world was inhabited only by Iraca and his nephew Ramiriquí, who ruled over a vast expanse of land as chiefs. These lands were abundant in natural wealth, especially blessed with rivers and lagoons such as those of Hunza, Tinjacá, Guatavita, and Iguaque. All of this was set within a territory bordered by massive mountain ranges.

(Read also: Myth of the Origin of the Sun and the Moon According to the Arhuaco Indigenous People)

One day, Iraca and Ramiriquí decided to populate the Earth with something different from the existing animals to end their eternal solitude. Thus, Iraca created the body of man out of yellow clay, while Ramiriquí used reeds (hollow-stemmed aquatic plants) to craft the body of woman. Pleased with their work, they continued molding more bodies until they had enough to populate their empire. Then, with a divine breath from the creators, these figures came to life.

However, even with the company of all the humans, they did not feel entirely satisfied. They debated how they could bring light to the world, imagining it as the exact opposite of the perpetual darkness in which they lived. Lacking the knowledge of how to create such light, they decided that Ramiriquí should go upwards to search for it, toward the place where their gaze naturally fell. He began to ascend in a straight line towards the sky. When he reached great heights, he started to emit a brilliant glow and transformed into the Sun. Then, they were finally able to see their vast empire: the nature, the lagoons, the mountains, the animals, the rivers, the humans, and everything that surrounded them.

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The humans were overjoyed by this event, but their happiness was short-lived. As the hours passed, Ramiriquí hid away, and that was when they learned what the night was. Many hours later, Ramiriquí reappeared to provide light and warmth once again, allowing them to understand the concept of day. Iraca was not entirely pleased, as he believed he needed to find a way to give them light during the nighttime as well. So, when evening arrived, he began to rise into the heavens. Upon reaching great heights, he started emitting rays of white light. This glow was different from the yellow light his nephew radiated, and it was less powerful. Still, it was enough to illuminate the dark night, and thus he became the Moon.

Since that time, the Muisca people have called the Sun Ramiriquí and the Moon Iraca. As a sign of respect for this act, the Chibcha people held a festival in Sogamoso called “huan“. They celebrated this event in December, as it is said that the celestial transformation occurred during that time of year. During this festival, twelve indigenous people would come out dressed in red, adorned with garlands of colorful feathers and small birds, guided by a single person dressed in blue. Together, they sang and remembered “how they were all mortal and would inevitably turn to ashes, without knowing the ultimate fate of their souls.”

What is the Origin of the Myth About the Creation of Humanity, the Sun, and the Moon?

This myth originates from the Muisca people, who are part of the Chibcha culture that settled in what is now the department of Boyacá, Colombia. It is believed to have originated in what were formerly known as the chiefdoms of Iraca (Sogamoso) and Ramiriquí, both of which were part of the so-called Muisca Confederation.

(Read also: The Myth of Bachué: The Progenitor Goddess of Humanity (Muiscas))

The Muisca people have several myths about the origin of the world and the celestial bodies. Therefore, it is suggested that this tale was created within a specific chiefdom to add prestige and divine validation to their governance over the people. As a curious fact, there are municipalities in this department named Sogamoso and Ramiriquí, honoring the chiefdoms that ruled these lands and from which these ancient myths emerged.