LEGEND
One of the first legends retold in Puerto Rico is that of Guanina by Dr. Cayetano Coll y Toste. Once the Taíno Indians had proven that the Spaniards were not immortal through the death of Diego Salcedo, they rebelled. The legend of Guanina tells of that rebellion. Here it is...
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GUANINA
Guanina was a Taíno Indian princess in love with Don Cristóbal de Sotomayor, a Spanish officer who had come to Boriquén (former name given to the island of Puerto Rico by the natives) to conquer and colonize. Her brother, Guaybaná, was the principal chief of the Taínos who hated the Spaniards because of the way they had mistreated and betrayed the Taínos. He swore revenge against the Spaniards. Juan González, Sotomayor's aide, found out about the plan to kill his captain and tried to warn him. Sotomayor would not hear of the planned uprising. He sent for Guaybaná and for some of his men to carry his baggage, since he was going to Caparra, the capital.
Guanina begged him not to go because she knew that he was going to die and that it would be her own brother who would kill him. Sotomayor did not change his plans, and the next morning set out with Guaybaná and his men to the city. On the way, he and five other Spaniards were attacked by the Taínos, and Sotomayor was killed. When Guanina was given the news of her lover's death, she tried to bring him back to life through her kisses and caresses.
The Taíno elders considered Guanina a traitor, and decided to offer her as a sacrifice to the gods as a sign of their gratitude in succeeding in their attack. When they went to get Guanina, they found her dead with her head resting on Sotomayor's bloody chest. The two were buried together near a giant ceiba tree and on their tomb red hibiscus and white lilies appeared as if by magic. These flowers represent the true and passionate love these two souls felt for each other. The legend has it that on occasion, the huge ceiba tree casts a shadow over the land, a soft breeze gently moves the leaves and whispering sounds are heard, then Guanina and Sotomayor come out of the tomb to look at the evening star and kiss each other under the light of the moon.
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