The Allure of Lake Atitlán: Marine Monsters, Sunken Cities & Secret Portals
Written by Phillip LaPalme, Edited by Willow Coyle. All Rights Restricted. Cover Photo by Phillip La Palme of Mural by Colectivo Nacional Amigos Del Arte.
Located in the highlands of the Sierra Madre mountain range in Guatemala exists Central America’s deepest and most magnificent lake: Lago de Atitlán. The lake sits in an ancient caldera surrounded by mountains and volcanoes, making it one of the most gorgeous sights in the world. Mayan communities are predominant in the 14 lakeside towns and villages, many of which are accessible only by boat. Since the late 1950’s, Lake Atitlán has become a popular tourist attraction and its magnetic energy has led some travelers to put down roots. Gringos and Mayans alike speak of the magic and mysticism of this place and their spiritual connection to it. There are, of course, many legends and stories steeped in the waters of Atitlán, but let’s first learn more about this wondrous lake itself.
Miniature topographical model of Lake Atitlán in Santiago, Guatemala. Photo by Willow Coyle.
A Lake 11 Million Years in the Making
Volcanic activity around Lake Atitlán has been a work in progress for the last 11 million years with four separate episodes of volcanic growth and caldera collapse. The most recent caldera collapse occurred nearly 2 million years ago. The last major eruption, which formed the caldera that Lake Atitlán now sits in, is referred to as the Los Chocoyos eruption, having occurred 84,000 years ago. This eruption vaporized all life in Guatemala — The volcanic ash covered an area of over 2.3 million square miles and remnants can be found as far away as Florida and Ecuador. Since then, continued volcanic activity has developed three volcanoes: Volcán San Pedro, Volcán Tolimán and Volcán Atitlán. San Pedro is the oldest of the three and appears to have stopped erupting 40,000 years ago. Tolimán was formed after San Pedro stopped erupting and though it is considered to be active, it has not erupted in documented historic times. Volcán Atitlán has formed in just the last 10,000 years and is considered an active volcano with its most recent eruption having occurred on May 3rd, 1853. According to the USGS (United States Geological Survey), “…since the arrival of the Spanish in the mid-1400's, eruptions have occurred in six eruptive clusters (1469, 1505, 1579, 1663, 1717, 1826-1856). https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/ofr20051403
Lake Atitlán from El Mirador de Santiago by Willow Coyle. All Rights Reserved.
Over time, water has filled the caldera and today’s Lake Atitlán is surrounded by breathtaking views of mountains and volcanoes. Sadly, on February 4th, 1976, Guatemala was struck by a magnitude 7.5 earthquake killing 23,000 to 26,000 people (perhaps more), and injuring more than 76,000. This quake caused a fissure in the caldera beneath the lake which lowered the water level significantly — some report a decrease of 6-7 feet and others up to 25 feet. Today, Lake Atitlán has a maximum depth of over 1,100 feet and an average depth of over 700 feet with a surface area of slightly over 50 square miles. The massive depth and daily rough waters have no doubt inspired fear in both locals as well as tourists, something we’ll explore further later on. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Atitlán
Street Mural in San Pedro La Laguna, Guatemala by Willow Coyle. Unknown artist.
A Brief History of Atitlán
In the Mayan Nahuatl language, Atitlán means “between the waters”, though some say “at the water”. The land surrounding Lake Atitlán facilitates crops that are a major food source for the local population which they are also able to sell and export. The land supports the growth of coffee, avocado, corn and many more fruits and vegetables — The volcanic soil is incredibly fertile and the areas just below the tropical cloud forests are suitable for a wide array of crops. Much of the farmland in the area is located on the very steep slopes of the bases of the mountains. The 14 towns surrounding the lake are rich with Mayan culture and have a large presence of the indigenous peoples, consisting of the Tz'utujil and Kaqchikel and K’iche’. In 1955, the area surrounding the lake became a national park and Guatemala sought to increase tourism to boost the local economy. This later led to a huge influx of traveling hippies, many of whom ended up putting down roots in Atitlán — I mean, the lake is pretty groovy, man. Since then, Atitlán has become, perhaps, the most popular tourist destination in Guatemala and the local economy depends on it, so please come visit, spend money, tip well and above all, be respectful. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Atitlán
Mural in Shanti-Shanti restauraunt in San Pedro La Laguna, Artist Unknown. Photo by Willow Coyle.
Local Origin Stories: The Reboot
So we know the geological history of the lake, however there are some local origin stories. One legend tells of the lake having been formed by the draining of three rivers into the area of the three volcanoes and quickly the rivers/lake took on a consciousness as well as a liking to the local ruler’s daughter. Citlatzin, (The daughter of the ruler of the region, Cacique), quickly became the lake’s object of affection due to her beauty and lovely singing voice. The lake anticipated her arrival everyday for her bath. Soon, however, Citlatzin fell in love with a local commoner, Tzilmiztli, which aroused the anger of the lake. With the aid of the wind the lake devised a plan to drown the young man so he may have Citlatzin to itself. Citlatzin became aware of the plot and at the time of its implementation she took the hand of her lover and they both sank to the bottom, never to be seen again. Angry at the loss of its love, the lake protests every day with rough waters and windy conditions.
Artist Unknown. Please contact us if you know!
Another legend states that the lake was once not much more than a puddle until one day angels came down from the heavens with intentions to cover the little puddle with land. The angels decided to cut the tip of Volcán Atitlan and transport it to the “puddle”. On their journey, the angels became weary and they set down the chunk of earth on the banks of the puddle. When they were ready to continue their voyage they realized the piece of volcano had adhered to the earth permanently. Today this area is referred to as Cerro de Oro meaning Hill of Gold and it has many stories associated with it both old and new. https://aprende.guatemala.com/cultura-guatemalteca/leyendas/leyendas-cerro-de-oro-solola/
Mural in San Pedro La Laguna, Guatemala by @creanazaldana & @Laurelcap. Photo by Willow Coyle
One Ring to Allure Them All
Lake Atitlán has a magnetic pull to it, drawing many tourists, some of whom never leave once they fall in love with the region. The charm of this magical place may be due to the immense beauty — German explorer and naturalist Alexander Von Humboldt described the Atitlán as, “The most beautiful lake in the world”. Though this statement is quite possibly true, the attraction may have other explanations. One story that attempts to explain the attraction comes from the time of Spanish conquest. As legend has it, upon arrival to a town known today known as Panajachel, a young Spaniard laid eyes on a beautiful young Mayan woman who was washing clothes in the lake. Being a Spaniard, he knew there was no way she would accept his advances, so he devised a plan to win her over. The young soldier enlisted the help of a local Bruja who enchanted a gold ring which would cause the wearer to find the soldier irresistible. Though this scheme worked, news of the affair reached the soldier’s commander who then ordered the execution of the young woman. Although the method of execution is not described, tragically, the deed was carried out. While standing over the body of the young woman, the commander took notice of the ring which he then took it for himself. Very soon after he began to feel an irresistible attraction to the young soldier. He assumed this enchantment was the work of the bewitched ring and seeking to rid himself of the charm, he took a boat to the middle of Lake Atitlán and cast the ring in. It is said that the lake took on the power of the ring and today everyone who visits, feels the intense attraction to the area. (Considering that we meant stop here for a week and have stayed for a month so far, must give a little credit to the story!) http://www.earthoria.com/some-myths-about-lake-atitlan-guatemala.html
Against the Wind
Cold air from the north and warm air from the coast meet in Lake Atitlán creating strong winds and rough waters. This phenomenon is known as Xocomil — According to an article by Pablo Ordoñez for www.degaute.com it is explained that, “Xocomil comes from the Kaqchikel words, which is a language spoken in Guatemala, "Xocom" from "jocom" (to collect) and "il" (fish), which means that the fish of the inhabitants of the villages located on the shore of the lake are picked up by the wind”.
Some local Mayans also refer to Xocomil as “the wind that carried away sin”. One local legend informs us of one origin story of Atitlán’s daily winds. In a tale reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet, we’re presented with the story of Utzil, a Kaqchikel warrior, and the K'iche' princess, Zacar. Being from opposing tribes, their love was forbidden. Since their love would never be accepted, the two decided to run away together, but were pursued by Zacar’s people. The couple sought to cross the lake to safety so Utzil ventured ahead, seeking the aid of a crocodile he had previously helped. Utzil and the croc traversed the lake in search of a boat for the fleeing lovers to escape. Unfortunately, when Utzil arrived back at shore to retrieve Zacar, she was dead. Grief stricken, Utzil took Zacar’s body out into the lake where they plunged to the depths. It’s said that every day the couple plays in the lake and the Xocomil blows to keep others away. Some locals attribute the daily winds to the previously mentioned tale of Citlatzin and Tzilmiztlim where the sorrowful lake takes out its anguish on the locals.
Street Art by Arte y Juventud Itzapa in San Pedro La Laguna, Guatemala. Photo by Willow Coyle.
Over the years the wind and subsequent water conditions have claimed many lives. As recently as 2018 a tragic incident occurred in which a boat was overturned by a whirlpool caused by the Xocomil. Seventeen people were aboard the vessel — three died and five went missing. Several other incidents like this have occurred over the decades illustrating the severity of the conditions and justifying the fears of the locals. https://www.prensalibre.com/ciudades/solola/xocomil-el-fenomeno-del-lago-de-atitlan-que-hizo-volcar-una-lancha-con-17-personas/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xocomil_(weather)
Street art which depicts the Atitlán lake monster (Need to find artist)
Nessie of Atitlán
Aside from the treacherous winds and violent waters, there’s another reason to fear the lake; Something malevolent which lurks beneath the surface. They have no name for it, however, some liken the creature to Chakona, a dragon-like monster or Arcoiris, meaning “rainbow”. Descriptions are nearly impossible to find in literature as accounts exist by way of oral tradition — Luckily for us the local street art of San Pedro La Laguna led us to some answers...
San Pedro La Laguna Mural depicting the Atitlán lake monster by Colectivo Nacional Amigos Del Arte. Photo by Willow Coyle.
In reaching out to the Colectivo Nacional Amigos Del Arte (An Guatemalan art collective) which is commissioned to paint murals across the country), we got in contact with the talented muralist Nivram Juárez who generously provided us with several fascinating tales, including a story regarding this elusive serpent. Juárez writes:
“The origins of Lake Atitlán go back a long time when the Cakchiquel killed Tolgom (an “impressive figure”, seen as an outsider and killed as such), with arrows, went beyond the place of Qakbatzulú and threw the pieces of Tolgom into the lagoon. Since then, the top of the Tolgom launch hill has been famous.
Immediately they said: let's go inside the lagoon, they passed in an orderly manner and everyone felt very scared when the surface of the water was shaken. From there they went to places called Panpati and Payán Chocol, practicing their sorcery arts. There they found nine sapotes (a native tree which bears edible fruit), in the place of Chitulul.
Then all the warriors began to cross the lake, going last Gagavitz (meaning “Hill of Fire” — A Mayan cultural hero), and his sister named Chetehauh. They halted and built their houses on the point now called Qabouil Abah. Immediately Gagavitz left, it was really terrible when they saw him throw himself into the water and become the feathered serpent. (It is not known why Gagavitz did this).
Instantly the waters darkened, then a northerly wind arose and a whirlpool formed in the water which finished churning the surface of the lake.
The mentioned towns must have been in the northwestern part of the lake, while the following could have happened near the current lake of Santiago Atitlán: The seven tribes wanted to stay there, they wanted to see the ruin of the power of the Zutujiles.
When they went down to the edge of the water and stopped there, they told the descendants of the Atziquinahay, 'The surface of our lagoon, our sea, oh our brother, had just been shaken! May it be for you half the lake and for you a part of its fruits, the ducks, the crabs, the fish'. And after consulting with each other, they answered, 'Okay, brother'.
In this way the division of the lake was made, according to the grandparents. And that was also how our brothers and relatives stayed with the Zutujiles."
(Nivram Juárez’s text was translated by google — Original Spanish text located below article. Muchisimo gracias, Nivram!)
This serpent is blamed for the deaths of many fishermen who went out into the lake, never to return — Today you’ll see many local fishermen sticking to the coastline rather than venturing into the deeper waters of the lake, presumably out of fear. As there is no road that circles the lake, boat taxis are the primary mode of transport for many locals. Fears concerning the lake cause much unease for people on their journey from one town or village to another. Choppy waters, strong winds and/or inclement weather will cause some locals to begin to pray for their safety and even their lives — In fact, the afternoon Xocomil winds get so intense that almost all boat taxis end service at 5pm. The immense size of Lake Atitlán and its sheer depths would make a good home for a serpentine lake monster — There are also plenty of Black Bass to feast upon (as well as fishermen). Could there be some truth to the legends, or is it the Xocomil? SCUBA expeditions have yet to discover such a beast, but the size and depth of the lake along with its dangerous conditions make it difficult to explore. Perhaps the beast lies in wait until just the right moment as it is said by some to reside in a cave on the north shore. Whatever the truth may be, we’ll have to delve deeper into the local communities to uncover more information.
Boat taxis lined up at the docks of San Pedro la Laguna - Lake Atitlán (Photo credit: Phillip LaPalme)
Contemporary High Strangeness in the Region
There are some more current accounts that add to the mystique of the area. Some 50 years ago, a young man left the town of San Pedro La Laguna to a nearby forest, axe in tow, looking for some firewood. After much work, the young man began to feel weary so he laid down his axe and took a rest. When he awoke, his axe was nowhere to be found... he looked and looked, but looked to no avail. As nightfall was approaching, he abandoned his search and made the journey back home. He eventually returned home to find his friends and family all gathered waiting for him. “Where have you been?!” They exclaimed. He explained that he lost his axe and spent a couple hours searching for it before deciding to return home. It was explained to him that he had actually been gone two nights! He could not account for the missing time and upon returning to the forest, he found his axe to be just where he had left it. The concept of missing time is highly prevalent in UFO and alien abduction phenomena as well as Faerie lore — Could the young woodcutter have been abducted by forest spirits or little green (or grey) men?
More recently, around the year 2000, a French tourist visiting San Pedro with his family set off on a solo day-trip to the lakeside town of Panajachel. After a few hours, the man phoned his wife and in an odd tone he stated, “I’m in a beautiful place... I’m surrounded by flowers and amazing plants and have an amazing view across the lake". The man sounded elated (albeit strange), and his wife presumed he’d chosen not to go to Panajachel and instead went to climb Volcán San Pedro. After a few hours he had still not returned and the man’s wife began to panic. A couple days went by with no word and at this point authorities sent out search and rescue teams with specially trained dogs and a helicopter. Even the locals pitched in to help the search efforts. The man was never located. To this day, locals still speak of this man’s disappearance. Some attribute his disappearance to the volcano opening up and swallowing the man, while others speak of doorways and portals to other dimensions. People are warned by the locals not to touch anything that seems out of place as that may open a doorway to another world from which we may not return. http://www.earthoria.com/some-myths-about-lake-atitlan-guatemala.html
All around Me are Familiar Faces…and Portals
Though there are many myths and legends which inspire fear of the lake and the surrounding areas, there is much beauty to be had which has inspired many people and continues to do so. Nearby is a popular tourist attraction referred to as Indian Nose. This peak sits at 7,217 feet and represents the “nose” of a range that resembles a Mayan face - From atop, it is perhaps the best view of Lake Atitlán. You can hire a tour guide to take you to the summit beginning at 4am which allows you to watch the sunrise.
Photo of the Mayan Face and Indian Nose (Photo credit: Phillip LaPalme)
Another interesting site is that of Cerro de Oro (Hill of gold). Though it is labeled a hill, it’s actually a small volcano. It is also referred to by the locals as La Puerta (The Door), as it is thought by many to be a portal to Xebalba (Underworld). The term “Hill of Gold” comes from stories describing Spaniards who were looking for gold they presumed was hidden there by the locals — A mission from which they’re said to have never returned. Other stories speak of Mayans who were fleeing from the Spanish came to this area which contains tunnels that go all the way to Volcán Tolimán which allowed them to escape. Apocryphal though they may be, these stories add an interesting layer to the lore.
Cerro de Oro from across Lake Atitlán (Photo credit: Guatemala.com)
Saint-Expéry’s Illustration from The Little Prince
Cerro de Oro is also sometimes credited as the inspiration for the beloved world-famous novella The Little Prince. In February of 1938, French author Antoine De Saint-Exupéry was on a flight from New York to South America. Unfortunately, the plane had been overloaded with fuel and subsequently crashed about 10 miles from Guatemala City. With critical injuries, Saint-Exupéry was forced to convalesce in Antigua, Guatemala. It is reported that he later visited Lake Atitlán where he first saw Cerro de Oro.
On the first page of The Little Prince, Saint-Expéry describes a boa constrictor with an entire elephant in his tract — an image purportedly inspired by Cerro de Oro. Though there aren’t many sources for this story, and some consider it completely made up, you can certainly see a resemblance. After all, “When the legend becomes fact, print the legend”. https://travaa.com/blog/atitlan-mysteries
Aititlán’s Atlantis
In addition to lake monsters and inter-dimensional portals, Lake Atitlán also boasts an ancient, sunken city likened by many to that of the Lost City of Atlantis. Thought to be merely a legend for many years, the site was discovered in 1996. In recent years, underwater archaeologists have undertaken a multi-year project to explore, map and photograph the sunken Maya city of Samabaj (its contemporary name, translating to "Sam's Rock"). The city was built and occupied sometime between 400 BC and 250 AD. Sambaj was fully developed, densely occupied and included temples, plazas, monuments and homes. Originally, the city rested upon an island that protruded from Lake Atitlán; however, some 2,000 years ago, volcanic activity caused seismic disturbances which led to water levels rising dramatically. The violent event would have rapidly engulfed the city causing hundreds, perhaps even thousands to flee as quickly as possible. It is not known which Mayan group built the city, though it is presumed they were either the Tz’utujil or Kaqchikel, as they were the predominant groups of the area at the time. Scientific efforts to explore the area have been hugely successful so far and the discoveries continue. https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/maya-city-lake-atitlan-0016608
Mural at Atlantis Dive Shop in San Pedro La Laguna by Unknown Artist. Photo by Willow Coyle.
Other expeditions in the lake have uncovered pottery and tools from different eras giving us further insight into the ancient, indigenous culture. Fortunately, the deep, cool waters of Atitlán protect the artifacts and new technologies are allowing us to explore in ways that have never been possible. http://www.advanceddivermagazine.com/articles/atitlan/atitlan.html
Droppin’ the Bass
After the areas surrounding Lake Atitlán became a national park in 1955, one major change occurred that quickly changed the local ecology. In 1958, in an effort to entice tourists to visit Atitlán, Pan American World Airways hatched a plan with Panajachel’s Nascent Hotel. The idea was to boost tourism by making the lake a sport fishing destination. To accomplish this, Pan American flew a Sikorsky seaplane (amphibious aircraft), low over Lake Atitlán, dumping untold numbers of Black Bass into the water. This non-native species immediately wreaked havoc on the ecosystem. This large-mouth variety of fish is an apex predator, devouring even its own kind — It quickly wiped out much of the biodiversity of the lake, including some crab and several bird species that relied on fish from the lake. Though decades of ecological adjustments have been made which have restored some equilibrium in the area, who knows what long-term effects this scheme will have had. Fortunately, local fisherman say there is now an abundance of fish to be had and anglers have no issue catching dinner. https://www.revuemag.com/bad-ass-bass-rain-from-the-sky/
San Pedro La Laguna Street Art. Artist Unknown. Photo by Willow Coyle.
The Lake Needs Our Help!
After thousands of years, Lake Atitlán continues to capture the wonder of those who visit. With its awe-inspiring views, rich history and enduring indigenous culture, it’s truly one-of-a-kind. Though not all of Atitlán’s past is squeaky clean, it’s still an integral part of the culture. The many stories, legends and tales, both good and bad, make the region rich in culture and worth preserving. Despite its beauty, there are major issues with pollution that demand attention. The last several decades in Atitlán have seen a major population boom — There are currently 350,000 people who live in towns and villages surrounding the lake. The biggest issue resulting from this population boom is the drainage of untreated wastewater directly into the lake — That’s right, human waste. https://garywockner.medium.com/population-pollution-pandemic-the-race-to-save-lake-atitlan-in-guatemala-61640b7ac321
It’s not just human waste that is drained into the lake; Heavy rains running downhill wash the streets that are covered in animal excrement and garbage downhill into the waters. In addition to this, there is pesticide runoff from the nearby farms. All of this drainage is causing heavy algae blooms (not the good kind), which are contributing to major health issues amongst the population as the lake is the region's primary source of drinking water. If you visit, be sure to use the EcoFiltros, drink bottled water and/or bring a LifeStraw type bottle. Thankfully, efforts are currently in place to rectify the situation including plans to use artificial intelligence to combat the toxic algae; A project sponsored by grants, Microsoft and the National Geographic Society. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/artificial-intelligence-saving-lake-algea-blooms-guatemala
In addition to the water pollution, there is major air pollution produced by the many vehicles that are constantly traversing the streets, day and night. There are also constant fires everywhere as people use wood stoves to cook. Irresponsible Construction companies' trash, chemicals and building material residues leave their own mark. The large population of street dogs' waste, combined with an overall lack of conscientiousness regarding litter, means it all just floods right down the hillsides to the open waters when it rains. There is no easy fix for these issues as the communities rely heavily on deliveries and transportation as well as food (obviously), but it all starts with awareness and education. A respect for not just the culture, but also the land is essential — It also doesn’t hurt to appease the lake monster.
If you have any additional stories, legends or personal accounts regarding Lake Atitlán please reach out to us and help add to the rich lore and history of this amazing, one-of-a-kind treasure of the Americas!
Tourists enjoying a swim on one of the cleaner coastlines off San Marcos' EcoPark... perhaps one day it will all be pristine again. Photo by Willow Coyle
References & Further Reading:
Lake Atitlán:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Atitlán
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xocomil_(weather)
https://www.revuemag.com/bad-ass-bass-rain-from-the-sky/
https://garywockner.medium.com/population-pollution-pandemic-the-race-to-save-lake-atitlan-in-guatemala-61640b7ac321
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/artificial-intelligence-saving-lake-algea-blooms-guatemala
https://www.tropicalfruittrees.com/sapote-1
List of Eruptions: https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/ofr20051403
The Tales:
http://www.earthoria.com/some-myths-about-lake-atitlan-guatemala.html
https://travaa.com/blog/atitlan-mysteries
https://www.revuemag.com/lake-atitlan-legends/
https://aprende.guatemala.com/cultura-guatemalteca/leyendas/leyendas-cerro-de-oro-solola/
https://mayanlakerealty.com/about-us-mayan-lake-atitlan-real-estate/about-guatemala/
https://aprende.guatemala.com/cultura-guatemalteca/leyendas/leyenda-del-xocomil-en-guatemala/?utm_source=guatemala.com&utm_campaign=crosslinking&utm_medium=widget
http://www.leyendasdelmundo.com/tag/utzil/
https://occult-world.com/gagavitz/
https://www.forum.com.gt/posts/la-leyenda-del-origen-del-lago-de-atitlan
The Little Prince:
https://onemorelibrary.com/index.php/en/?option=com_djclassifieds&format=raw&view=download&task=download&fid=14329
Incidents on the lake:
https://www.nenroll-nenroll.com/news/to-my-mom-help-her-the-video-that-circulates-in-networks-and-shows-the-rescue-of-a-family-in-lake-atitlan-whose-boat-was-shipwrecked/
https://www.prensalibre.com/ciudades/solola/xocomil-el-fenomeno-del-lago-de-atitlan-que-hizo-volcar-una-lancha-con-17-personas/
https://www.prensalibre.com/ciudades/solola/naufragio-de-lancha-deja-tres-muertos-y-cuatro-desaparecidos-en-panajachel/?utm_source=modulosPL&utm_medium=linkinterno&utm_campaign=ux?utm_source=modulosPL&utm_medium=linkinterno&utm_campaign=ux?utm_source=modulosPL&utm_medium=linkinterno&utm_campaign=ux?utm_source=modulosPL&utm_medium=linkinterno&utm_campaign=ux?utm_source=modulosPL&utm_medium=linkinterno&utm_campaign=ux
Atitlán Underwater Archaeology: http://www.advanceddivermagazine.com/articles/atitlan/atitlan.html
https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/maya-city-lake-atitlan-0016608
https://www.zenger.news/2022/04/06/lost-world-ancient-underwater-city-revealed/
Further Reading:
https://www.prensalibre.com/ciudades/solola/se-agrava-contaminacion-en-el-lago-de-atitlan-y-temen-por-la-salud-de-pobladores/?utm_source=modulosPL&utm_medium=linkinterno&utm_campaign=ux
https://culturetrekking.com/mayan-culture-in-lake-atilan/
https://culturetrekking.com/empowering-mayan-women/
Original Spanish text from Nivram Juárez’s account of the lake serpent:
Los orígenes del Lago Atitlán son de hace mucho tiempo cuando los cakchiqueles dieron muerte a saetazos a Tolgom, se marcharon más allá del lugar de Qakbatzulú y arrojaron a la laguna los pedazos de Tolgom. Desde entonces es famosa la punta del cerro del lanzamiento de Tolgom.
Enseguida dijeron: vamos adentro de la laguna, pasaron ordenadamente y sintieron todos mucho miedo cuando se agitó la superficie del agua. De allá se dirigieron a los lugares llamados Panpatí y Payán Chocol, practicando sus artes de hechicería. Allí encontraron nueve zapotes en el lugar de Chitulul. Después comenzaron a cruzar el lago todos los guerreros yendo por último Gagavitz y su hermana llamada Chetehauh. Hicieron alto y construyeron sus casas en la punta llamada actualmente Qabouil Abah. Enseguida se marchó Gagavitz, fue realmente terrible cuando lo vieron arrojarse al agua y convertirse en la serpiente emplumada.
Al instante se obscurecieron las aguas, luego se levantó un viento norte y se formó un remolino en el agua que acabó de agitar la superficie del lago.
Los poblados mencionados han de haber estado en la parte noroeste del lago, mientras que lo siguiente pudo haber sucedido cercano al actual lago de Santiago Atitlán: Allí deseaban quedarse las siete tribus, querían ver la ruina del poder de los Zutujiles.
Cuando aquellos bajaron a la orilla del agua y se detuvieron allí, les dijeron a los descendientes de los Atziquinahay que acababa de agitarse la superficie de nuestra laguna, nuestro mar ¡oh hermano nuestro! Que sea para ti la mitad del lago y para ti una parte de sus frutos, los patos, los cangrejos, los pescados, les dijeron. Y después de consultar entre sí, contestaron está bien, hermano.
De esta manera fue hecha la división del lago, según contaban los abuelos. Y así fue también como nuestros hermanos y parientes se quedaron con los Zutujiles.
