Legend of Bibosi and Motacú
One thing I learned living in Bolivia in the 1980s was the value
of friendship. The friends I made here are
friends for life. Or as several of my
Bolivian friends said, we are family. They have
become my comfort zone. In a matter of
days once I returned here, I made a new batch of friends, and I know they also will be friends for
life.
Several learned that I was posting a blog and a lot of pictures
about Bolivia. They recognized that I
love Bolivia and want to share the beauty of their land to my friends in the
States. Now they send me messages, such
as “did you know this about the Cristo statue,” or “did you know manzana can be
apple or city block?” Some have sent me
links to research things a little more. Two have given me books they thought
might help.
I was not sure how I would write five blogs a week. My life isn’t that exciting. But I have wanted to share with you the
beauty of this culture. My friends are
giving me so many ideas that I am about three weeks ahead on blogs and have
many more ideas to research.
The idea for today’s blog was given to me by my new friend,
Matilde.
The motacú is a palm tree found in the tropical lowlands of Santa
Cruz. Often when you see one it will be
entwined by bibosi, a vine that is a member of the fig family of trees. The bibosi will wrap itself around the
motacú, creating strong roots, and oftentimes killing the host tree.
The legend goes something like this. A beautiful girl, Motacú, was in love with a
handsome young man, named Bibosi. The
two could be seen everywhere together, because they loved each other more than
life.
The girl’s parents did not feel the same about the romance, so
they looked for a young man who was more “appropriate” for their daughter. The parents refused to allow Bibosi to court
her any more. Reluctantly she relented,
but with many tears.
Motacú told her love, Bibosi, about her parents plans and began to
cry on his shoulder. He hugged her as he comforted her. Jealous of the man her parents had selected
for their daughter, he refused to let go.
He hugged her so tightly, that they died there on the spot, their arms intertwined
in love.
The bibosi tree, like the young man, intertwines itself around the
motacú palm, like the girl, eventually killing the palm.
Yes, that is how intense the love is here in Santa Cruz.
The other day I was in a lovely garden in El Torno. I saw a tree intertwined just like I heard of in the legend. A gardener was nearby, so I asked him,
"Sir, is this a bibosi and motacú?"
"Yes, it is," he answered. "You will never find a more amorous pair of trees."
I love his answer.
From BoliviaBella.com and my friend Matilde.
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