The legend of El Dorado, originating from Colombia, tells the story of a mythical land or city overflowing with gold and precious gems. Originally, ‘El Dorado’ referred to a person, a tribal leader or king, who was covered in gold. Later, it evolved to denote a place, a city or a kingdom, filled with unimaginable riches.
During the 1500s, the stories of El Dorado became a powerful lure for Spanish conquistadors and European explorers. These tales were exaggerated and spread quickly, resulting in numerous expeditions to find this fabled city of gold. Many explorers attempted to locate El Dorado, but to no avail.
The Museo del Oro (Gold Museum) in Bogotá, Colombia, has a direct connection to the legend of El Dorado. The museum houses one of the most impressive collections of pre-Columbian gold in the world and provides insight into the native cultures of the area, which are the source of the El Dorado myth.
One of the most notable artifacts at the Museo del Oro is the ‘El Dorado raft’ or ‘Muisca raft’. This small gold figure represents a ceremonial boat used by the Muisca people, an indigenous group in the area now known as Colombia. According to legend, a new ruler was covered in gold dust during a ritual ceremony and traveled on a raft to the middle of a sacred lake, such as Lake Guatavita. Here, he offered gold and precious stones to the gods by throwing them into the lake. This ceremony is believed to be the origin of the El Dorado legend.
Guatavita-søen
For the indigenous peoples of Colombia, especially cultures such as the Muisca, Tairona, Calima, and Quimbaya, gold had a deep spiritual and cultural significance that went far beyond its material value. Gold was often associated with the sun and celestial bodies due to its shiny, bright appearance. It was seen as a symbol of divine energy and cosmic forces.
Gold was also used in a variety of ritual contexts. It was used in ceremonies, offerings, and as part of religious practices. For example, the aforementioned El Dorado ceremony, where a leader was covered in gold dust and sacrificed gold objects in sacred lakes, was an expression of these rituals. Additionally, gold objects were often worn by the upper classes and religious leaders as symbols of their status and power.
The indigenous peoples of Colombia were skilled goldsmiths. They crafted complex and detailed artifacts that served not only decorative and ceremonial purposes but also expressed symbolism and narratives from their culture and beliefs. Although gold had a high spiritual value, it was also used as a trading commodity, promoting economic and social interaction among different tribes and cultures.
There was also a deep respect for nature and its resources. Gold was seen as a gift from the earth, and its use and extraction were often regulated by traditional customs and beliefs.
This rich and complex understanding and use of gold significantly differ from the viewpoint of the European conquerors, who primarily saw gold as a source of material wealth and power. At the Museo del Oro in Bogotá, I had ample opportunity to explore and understand this deep and nuanced connection between the indigenous peoples of Colombia and gold.