Mitos y Leyendas: The Legend of the Origin of Fire
This legend of the Matacos tells us how a hornero was the cause of a massive fire that released fire for men.

- Mitos y Leyendas brings you the legend of the origin of fire.
- This version belongs to the Mataco tribe of Argentina.
- A bird is the protagonist of a tremendous catastrophe due to its laughable nature.
The Matacos or Wichís, an indigenous community rooted in the center of the Chaco, north of Argentina, give us a beautiful legend about the origin of fire in the world.
This story was collected by Buenaventura Terán in his book «El ciclo de Tokjuaj y otros mitos de los Wichí» immersing us in a magical world full of intriguing characters and important lessons.
At the center of this narrative is the «Hornero,» a bird famous for its hard work in building nests, but also for its incessant laughter, often interpreted as mockery towards others.
Because of its attitude, the other animals avoided inviting it to their meetings and parties.
A meeting to eat

However, one day, while a group of animals, including the Turtle, the Spider, the Coyote, the Pichi, the Armadillo, the Wasp, the Rhea, the Chuña, and the Rabbit, were preparing to share a meal with «Itoj Pajla,» known as the Fire Man, the Hornero intercepted them.
The Wasp begged the Hornero not to laugh, fearing that its laughter would trigger the wrath of the Fire Man, and the Hornero reluctantly agreed.
The meal with Itoj Pajla began peacefully. Each animal passed its pot with food, and the Fire Man heated it with his fiery hands.
However, as the meal progressed, the Hornero found himself in humorous situations that he found hard to resist. Finally, he burst into laughter.
The fire gets out of control

The Hornero’s laughter enraged the Fire Man, who responded by releasing flames with the intention of destroying everyone present.
Everybody fled desperately to save their lives. The Turtle barely managed to take refuge in the water, while the others ran towards the sea for protection.
He also managed to escape and continued his habit of laughing at everything.
The fire swept through everything in its path, leaving only the standing trees that were present.
The legend of the origin of fire

This captivating Wichí legend teaches us how fire was released into the world, allowing humans to access its power.
Without the Hornero’s intervention, the fire would have remained in the hands of the Fire Man, hidden forever.
This story reminds us of the importance of prudence and respect for the forces of nature in the world of the Wichís, and how a small sacrifice can bring great benefits to humanity.
Mitos y Leyendas says goodbye for now and thanks you for your attention and interest. Until next time!


