03/03/2020
In this unbelievable forest, not only can you encounter some quetzals, but also the “Colibri Vino” ? Ever heard of him ? This hummingbird is the second smallest bird in the world and his colours are unbelievably radiant. And do you know the legend that Guatemala has with this bird ?
The legend wants that a late afternoon of November a young girl called Pilarcita, whom was the most beautiful weaver of all Huehuetenango, was quietly working. She was so beautiful that all the men around were conquered by her smile. Her beautiful dark hair covered with the bright colours of the cotton threads that she was weaving.
This afternoon, a young man appeared. He slowly moved closer to her and took her hands. They glanced at each others, their heart rates accelerated and without much happening, they both fell in love.
They spent the whole afternoon together, not saying a word, only their hearts were speaking. Their lips didn’t need to move for them to understand the perfection of this instant.
They spent their afternoons together, discussing their lives, their families and their dream of, one day, run away together to live happily forever.
One of these afternoons, they were observing the sunset and listening to the singing of the birds. All of a sudden the father of Pilarcita appeared and took her with him by force. He also threatened the young man, he would never see her again.
After a week, Pilarcita was very sad. She was only working at home, not allowed to leave the house. One afternoon, while she was in the garden, a radiant hummingbird appeared. He was flying around her, from one side to the other, trying to catch her attention, and landed on her side.
Magically, the hummingbird transformed into her amazing lover and they stayed together this afternoon. When Pilarcita’s father got closer to see what was happening, the young man transformed again into the hummingbird and went to hide between the huipiles that the girl had woven.
And like this they continued their hidden romance. Every afternoon the magic hummingbird was coming to Pilarcita’s room, observing her from the roof. When nobody was around he could join her carefully and transformed into a human again.
One day, the father surprised the two lovers. He became so violent that the young man took Pilarcita’s hand and together they transformed into hummingbirds and escaped flying in the sky of Huehuetenango.
Since that, the young ladies of Huehuetenango weave hummingbirds on their huipiles, hoping that one day they would change into a prince that could make them happy forever.
Photo taken by Boshkin tje 26th of December
