This story tells the origin of Lake Camécuaro in the national park of the same name, in Michoacán, whose name means “Place of Hidden Bitterness.” Its origin is Purepecha, as this people consider lakes as something sacred.
Huanita, a Purepecha princess, fell in love with Tangáxhuan, the nephew of the founder of the Purepecha Empire. One day, Candó, a priest, kidnapped her and confined her in a yácata or monument. It is said that the princess cried so much that her tears formed a lake (hence Camécuaro meaning “Place of Hidden Bitterness”).
Soon, upon learning the news, Tangáxhuan went to where Huanita was held captive; upon seeing Candó, he shot an arrow at him with his bow, but it embedded itself in a sabino tree, which split, forming a spring of green water that would later become Lake Camécuaro.
Today, it is said that those who swim in the water will see the figure of a woman trying to prevent them from leaving.
TYT Newsroom