Cantuta

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The Cantuta (often spelled kantuta or qantuta, from Quechua qantu) (Cantua buxifolia or Fuchsia buxifolia) is a flower found in the high valleys of the yungas, and is considered the National Flower of Bolivia (along with the Patujú - Heliconia rostrata - in the latter case). One variety of kantuta, the kantuta tricolor, has red and yellow petals coming from a green base, the same colors as the Bolivian flag.

[edit] Inca Legend

The Inca legend associated with the Cantuta is the tale of two kings named Illimani and Illampu, and their sons. Both kings were powerful and wealthy rulers of a vast country in the Kollasuyo region (today's Bolivian Altiplano), and both had a son they and their people held in great esteem. But as time passed, the kings became irritated at each other's prosperity, and eventually one of them attacked the other.

During the battle, both kings were mortally wounded by their counterpart, and were carried away. On their dying bed, both called their son and had them make the vow to avenge them, even if both sons were opposed to the war in the first place. Bound by their pledge, they prepared and led a second war even though they held no grudge against each other. History repeated, and both sons inflicted a fatal wound to the other.

But instead of harsh words, they generously forgave each other, and asked that their servants place them side by side on the green grass of the battlefield. Then appeared Pachamama, Goddess of Fertility, who told the young kings before they died that they shouldn't have suffered from their father's unjustified enmity. To punish their dead fathers, their stars fell from the sky, and became the snow covered mountains still named Illimani and Illampu, which are the highest peaks in the region.

The rivers of their snow slowly melting are their tears of regret, and fertilized the valleys. The Cantuta bloomed as a symbol of the people's unity, and bear the two colours of the king's sons (red and yellow), as well as green (standing for hope).

• Read the complete legend of the tricolor Kantuta, translated in French from Leyendas de mi tierra by Antonio Díaz Villamil (Editorial América srl, La Paz).