Tangaloa “The Guardian of the Sea”

Many moons ago, long before the Spanish colonization of the Americas, a unique kid was born in a Lenca region called: Tangolona. He possessed unique and divine powers like a few people in the world. Everyone who met him said he could perform many miracles plus possessed surprising wisdom for his age, but he had a notorious physical malformation, he had several extra legs. For this reason, his parents never allowed him to play or meet with other kids in their town.

The life of this kid was challenging and full of health problems. One day he was seriously ill, and this unfortunate and uncommon disease led him to his death. Nevertheless, because of his unique powers, he was allowed to talk with the beautiful Moon in his last minutes of life.

During their conversation, the Moon politely asked him: “What would be your last wish, my dear?” The boy replied he had always dreamed of visiting the sea, and if the beautiful Moon allowed it, he wanted to enter the seawater just one time before dying.

The Moon gave him his last wish, and he entered the sea waters for the first time. There, the kid transformed into a magnificent octopus (figure 1); therefore, instead of dying, he metamorphosed into Tangaloa “The Guardian of the Sea.” He would live forever in a place called Jawairoa, which is known today as Jiquilisco Bay.




Figure 1. Tangaloa “The Guardian of the Sea.” ¹

In Jawairoa, he would serve his new role as the protector of all aquatic animals, keeping the tides and waves in order. However, Tangaloa is not alone in his duties, Ti Tanawass, the god of the Sea Waters and the Mangroves helps him keep the fishermen safe and to protect all creatures and the sea forests.

Credits:
Location: Usulutan, El Salvador

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