The Legend of the Chechén and Chaká Trees: Love and Rivalry
One of the best-known legends in the Yucatán Peninsula region is that of the Chechén and Chaká trees. The legend tells of two warrior brothers: one named Kinich, who was known for being kind, generous, gentle, and beloved by those who knew him; and the other named Tizic, who was described as arrogant, ruthless, and cold-hearted.
Both brothers met Nicté-Há and fell in love with her, giving rise to a rivalry between them to see who would win the young woman’s heart. Thus, the two brothers faced each other in a duel for Nicté-Há’s love, which ended with the death of both.
Upon reaching the afterlife, they asked the gods for permission to return to Earth so they could see Nicté-Há again, but she had died. The gods allowed them to return, but in the form of trees. Tizic was reborn as the Chechén tree, which is considered dangerous because it is poisonous, as its resin causes burns and sores on the skin. On the other hand, Kinich was reborn as the Chaká tree, considered the antidote to the wounds caused by the Chechén. Typically, where there is a Chechén tree, a Chaká tree can be found nearby.
Photo by Muy Interesante
The Chechén is a towering tree, reaching up to 35 meters, with dark, scaly bark and round green leaves. In contrast, the Chaká features reddish, peeling bark, fragrant branches, and is valued for its medicinal properties. Since the Chechén is known for its toxicity, it is important to know that this tree contains urushiol, a compound also found in other plants such as poison ivy. It is also important to keep in mind that not only touching the tree can be dangerous, but even being near it, since particles of the urushiol it contains can be carried through the air and come into contact with our skin, causing injuries.
In Mayan tradition, the Chaká tree is used as a natural anti-inflammatory remedy for wounds. The leaves of the Chaká are crushed and applied to the affected area, but it is important to know how to properly identify the tree to avoid adverse effects, as well as to ensure proper disinfection of the leaves and correct preparation of the remedy.
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