The Legend of The Golden Tunjo

Legend has it that The Golden Tunjo (Tunjo de oro) is a humanoid figure made entirely of gold. This creature usually appears on the sides of roads, transformed into a desperately crying baby, seeking the protection and care of a passerby.

It is said that the Golden Tunjo often appears on desolate paths, by river ravines, and in gloomy ruins. He cries desperately until he catches the attention of a passerby. The unsuspecting person rushes to help, thinking it is nothing more than a harmless child. However, upon getting close, the baby stares directly at them and says, “Look, I already have teeth.”

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Upon hearing this, most people run away in sheer terror, and the Golden Tunjo chases after them, as he only wants to be cared for. If the person does not flee, the Golden Tunjo expects them to feed him. If they fail to do so, he shoots a blast of fire from his mouth, forcing the victim to escape.

The legend assures that if someone encounters the Golden Tunjo, their wealth is guaranteed. One simply has to pick him up, smear their own thumb with saliva, and make the sign of the cross over him in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In that instant, the baby will transform back into what he truly is: a golden figure. Following this, he must be kept in a box and fed daily with seeds.

It is said that the seed he eats is similar to cumin but smaller, and it can be found on the foothills of the mountain ranges. Every time the Golden Tunjo is fed, he will defecate pieces of gold that the person can use as they please.

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However, one must be very careful with Golden Tunjos. If they are not fed daily and the necessary spells are not cast to keep them docile, they will attract natural disasters such as gales, floods, and tornadoes to free themselves from their owner and seek another who will provide the proper care. The person abandoned by the Golden Tunjo is struck by all kinds of misfortune and ruin for failing to look after him properly.

Other Versions of the Golden Tunjo Legend

In Sogamoso, they tell the “legend of the seductive Golden Tunjo,” which claims that this creature usually hides in the swamps, right where the rainbow ends. The myth says that this being falls in love easily and is extremely dangerous. If children wander near his territory, they might end up drowning, and young women find themselves pregnant shortly after coming into contact with him.

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Another version narrates that Golden Tunjos are divine beings who often ride along rainbows. Their entire bodies are covered in gold, and their eyes are made of rubies. They appear before the unsuspecting seeking care, in exchange for making them incredibly wealthy.

Origin of the Legend

Golden Tunjos originate from the indigenous Pijao and Muisca cultures, which inhabited what is now Colombian territory. These communities had a tradition of creating small humanoid or anthropomorphic figures out of gold or tumbaga (an alloy of gold, silver, and copper), which they used as part of their art, in their rituals, or as offerings to their gods and caciques (indigenous chiefs).

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Over the years, many of these figures have been found, and they are now preserved in archaeological museums throughout Colombia.

Where Does the Golden Tunjo Appear?

This creature usually makes his appearances in the Colombian regions of Tolima, Huila, and Quindío. These were the territories inhabited by the indigenous Pijao culture, to whom the origin of this legend is attributed. Although Golden Tunjos are primarily linked to the Muisca culture, there is evidence of object exchanges between both groups as part of the social dynamics that existed at the time.

How to Protect Yourself from the Golden Tunjo?

Generally, this creature is considered harmless. The best protection against this being is to run away or recite a prayer. If one wishes to catch him, they must smear saliva on their own thumb and make the sign of the cross over him in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Representation of the Golden Tunjo Legend in Popular Culture

Golden Tunjos are one of the most important artistic, religious, and cultural expressions of the Muisca culture. Therefore, because this legend is tied to such a significant cultural element, it continues to hold great relevance in Colombian culture, especially in the areas of Tolima, Huila, and Quindío.

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This is evident in the various artistic expressions that highlight the legend, such as the episode of the television series Séptima Puerta (Seventh Door) titled “The Golden Tunjo,” which was inspired by the tale, or the sculptures that pay tribute to him in different parts of the national territory.