Mitos y Leyendas: Legend of the Ometepetl Island (Ometepe) in Nicaragua

• Genny de Bernardo shares with you the legend of the creation of the Ometepetl Island in Nicaragua.
• It’s a love story that culminated in the eternal union of a couple, victims of circumstances.
• This legend from Nicaragua is very popular due to the island being a significant tourist attraction.

Ometepetl, a young woman of rare beauty, stood majestically on Ometepe Island (or Ometepetl) in the heart of Nicaragua.

Her well-defined figure and sweet, melodious voice made her the envy of all the indigenous tribes in the region.

Her straight hair fell like a cascade of ebony, and her smile had the power to enchant anyone who crossed her path.

The young men from all the tribes sighed for her love, and her graceful silhouette was the subject of countless songs and legends.

Ometepetl and Nagrando

The protagonists of the love story we narrate today are Ometepetl, a proud member of the Niquirana tribe, and Nagrando, a handsome young man from the Nagrandanos.

They were in the midst of an ancestral conflict between their respective tribes.

The families of both young people were mortal enemies, and the ancestral laws dictated by the teytes forbade any possibility of a marital union between the two lovers.

One summer afternoon, as the sun gilded the land and the wind gently caressed the waters of Lake Cocibolca, Nagrando and Ometepetl met for the first time.

The Blessing of the Gods

At that moment, nature itself seemed to celebrate their love. Xochi-pilli, the god of flowers, played a melody of breeze in the grasslands, while Quetzalcóatl exhaled his divine breath throughout the universe.

Ehécatl, the god of wind, let fall serene in a celestial blessing, and the teotes, the guardian gods, showered their blessings on this new love.

Meanwhile, Coapotl, the god of joy, rejoiced in the heavens, and the birds sang their trills in a chorus of joy.

Despite the threats of the great Niquirano chief to capture Ometepetl and eliminate Nagrando, the two young lovers sought refuge in their closest friends to plan their escape.

Legend of Ometepelt

In secrecy, they swore eternal love, shared passionate embraces, and prayed to the gods for their protection. In a desperate and tragic act, they decided to cut their wrists, sealing their love for eternity.

Thus, Lake Cocibolca turned red, becoming the blood emanating from the young lovers, while the two volcanoes on the island of Ometepe represented the breasts of the beautiful Ometepetl.

The Island of Zapatera, near the island of Ometepe, became the lifeless body of Nagrando, an eternal monument to their tragically interrupted love.

This legend from Nicaragua will endure through the centuries as a reminder of an impossible love that defied the barriers of time and tradition. Mitos y Leyendas signs off for now and hopes you liked this story. Until next time!