The Monster of Lake Tota

Kashmala Asad

## **Summary**

The Monster of Lake Tota, otherwise known as *diablo ballena* (devil whale), is a locally well-known aquatic cryptid in Muisca mythology that resides in Lake Tota, Columbia. Natives in that area believe that the monster permanently lived there. It is generally described as a gigantic black fish with an ox-like head. Unfortunately, nowadays, sightings of this creature are practically nonexistent.

## **History & Legends**

The first ever recorded reference to the Monster of Lake Tota was by the Spanish conquistador, Gonzalo Jimenez, who had learned of a black monster-demon that haunted Lake Tota, from the indigenous people of that area. Supposedly, this creature, since it is a prominent role in Muisca mythology and lore, is the aftermath of the creation of Lake Tota. In this myth, a large, black, snake like creature haunted the area where Lake Tota would later come to exist, scaring the natives in the until it was murdered. A jewel was removed from the scales of the snake, and offered to the diety Bochica, who tossed the stone into the abyss. Since it landed on the serpent, water began filling the area, therefore creating Lake Tota.

One of the earliest reports of a sighting of this monster dates back to 1652, by Columbian priest and historian Lucas Fernandez de Piedrahita. According to his writings, the monster was, as stated earlier, a large, black fish with the head of an ox. Later on, a Columbian politician & author, Manuel Ancizar, wrote of an Englishman who reached the island via raft, despite the stories of the monster that haunted the lake. This led to more people determined to explore the islands on boat. Then, Columbian botanist Jose Jeronimo Triana (1828-1890) wrote about the residents of the island who believed in the Monster of Lake Tota.

Unfortunately, accounts of the Monster of Lake Tota have died down immensely by now. Not only is there not much discussion of it, but the belief in this monster has died down as well.

## **Adaptations**

There are no adaptations of the Monster of Lake Tota, despite my research. Due to the obscurity of the cryptid and the lack of discussion about it in even modern times, there are not many interpretations and adaptations of the creature. What I gathered from my research, mostly, was that the myth stayed within Muisca culture and mythology, and was centered in the local area, so that's where it stayed.

## **Analysis**

Since there are no adaptations for the Monster of Lake Tota, I would have to say that I would probably adapt both the monster's appearance and possibly connect it to the lore of the creation of Lake Tota, as stated earlier. Since the belief was that the lake was created after the death of the serpent-monster that haunted the area, and the lake grew due to the stone from the diety landing on the serpent's corpse, I would tweak the monsters appearance so that it resembled more of a water-like serpent (almost like the Lochness Monster, but more serpent-like) rather than a gigantic black fish with the head of an ox. The idea of a giant fish-ox hybrid wouldn't have the same effect of fear as the idea of a massive, black, serpent -like monster haunting the lake in Columbia.

## **Sources**

Michaels, Denver. “The Monster in Lake Tota .” *Denver Michaels*, 8 Aug. 2018, https://www.denvermichaels.net/the-monster-in-lake-tota/.

Wooldridge, Anny. “Everything You Need to Know about the Monster of Lake Tota.” *Culture Trip*, The Culture Trip, 11 June 2017, https://theculturetrip.com/south-america/colombia/articles/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-monster-of-lake-tota/.

“Monster of Lake Tota.” *Cryptid Wiki*, https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Monster\_of\_Lake\_Tota.