La Leyenda del Salto de la Princesa

For those who want a little taste of the indigenous culture here in the South, here's a fun Mapuche legend I learned about a waterfall I visited this past weekend...

Location: Curacautin, La novena regíon de la Araucanía, Chile

There were times in which the Mapuche in Curacautin received neighboring tribes that would come to trade, barter and partake in religious ceremonies.  These visiting tribes would introduce new and unknown items to the people of Cura, one of which, being the horse. 
One day, the tribes arrived as usual, but this particular day, they arrived on horseback.  Chief Huillical, in awe and amazement of this new creature, promised valuable gifts to anyone valiant enough to bring him one.  However, he soon discovered how difficult this request truly was (as the horses had to be brought over the boarder from Argentina).  Over time, this wish soon transformed into an obsession and Cheif Huillical desired a horse more than ever.  
Until one day, he learned that a beautiful white colt had arrived in Malalcahuello (the neighboring community).  Upon this new the chief united his tribe and announced:

"This is my daughter, Princess Rayén.  Whoever is able to bring me this white horse can have her hand in marriage."

Nahuelcura, a mestizo (mixed Spanish and Indigenous heritage), whom Rayén was in love with promised her that he would bring the horse to her father so that they could finally be together forever (as it was forbidden in Mapuche culture to marry someone of Spanish or mixed blood).
At dawn, the third day after the chief's request, a forceful neighing broke the morning silence of Cura.  Chief Huillical couldn't believe his eyes, the horse he had for so long wished for was standing in front of him.  But, to Rayén's dismay, the horse was brought by another, and indian by the name of Quilacura.  
Standing there, next to the horse, Quilacura asked the chief:

"Now that I have made your dream a reality, will you fulfill your promise?"

"A Mapuche always keeps his word", responded Huillical. "Go to the house, and take Rayén as your wife."

It was as if Quilacura was walking on clouds.  For so long he had jealously adored Rayén from afar and finally, she was all his.  But, when he entered the house, he let out a scream of fury that abruptly startled the entire tribe.  

"Rayén! Where is Rayén?!"

Little did he know, she was far from the house, with her love, Nahuelcura.

"Look for Rayén through the entire forest.  Look in every cave for three moons and three suns.  If she doesn't appear, she will have chosen her destiny and she will never again be a Mapuche woman", Chief Huillical instructed his tribe.

All of the men went out to look for Rayen.  Quilacura went out alone, running like a lion through an unknown course out of desperation. 
Rayén and Nahuelcura ran through the forest without stopping until dusk, where they found a huge rock to rest their weak and tired bodies.  However, the search for the young lovers continued, Quilacura not stopping for a single moment to rest or to realize that the three moons had already passed.

As soon as the rays of the third sun appeared, out of the brush came a scream:

"I found Princess Rayén! She is here! Everyone come!"

Upon these screams, Rayén and Nahuelcura looked around, but found no escape.  The Mapuche had circled them in from all ends and forced them to the edge of a cliff.  The couple was trapt.  The only way out, was to jump...
The couple looked at one another, gripped each other's hands tight, and threw themselves off the cliff.  
This is when the waterfall was created.   Ironically, it is shaped in the form of the white horse's tail.  Today, the waterfall (or salto in Spanish) is a symbol of their undying love for one another.