Uta Bobesicca (clan Blackberry) was made of cousins, siblings, parents, and elders. It was a small clan, and all of its members, save for the little ones, were self-sufficient. Bobesicca was blessed with talent and abundance. Such was this utas abundance that its young members had forgotten how important community links are. Umbala was a potter from the clan Bobesicca. His skills were renowned and the pots he made were coveted from the lands of the Tayrona to the lands north of the Andes. Such was his skill that his pride took the best of him. He was sure that every pot he made, he could trade. And so, he seldom saved pots or food for days of scarcity.
One beautiful morning the news was made known: A biohote; a great celebration, was planned to happen soon! His goods would be in high demand, so much so that his status would grow and he could become a powerful man! And so, with this idea in his mind, he began to work like never before. He made one, ten, one thousand pots! His utas warehouse was full of pots to trade and carry chicha, emeralds, salt, maize, and other foods. All those pots were already promised. Even before leaving town, all pots had owners, from chiefs and priests to merchants and other utas. Just a week before the biohote was planned to take place, a calamity struck. Having all the promised pots already done, Umbala dedicated himself to drink and recreation, sure about his future; too proud to think hardships could happen to such a skilled potter, he started to drink too much chicha. One afternoon, hunters brought deer. The spirits had blessed them with strong, big deer to skin, and abundant meat to prepare! Happy as the hunters were, they left the bodies near the warehouse used by Umbala to store his pots, so they could go and have chicha to celebrate. Umbala himself had drunk a lot of the substance that day. Turns out, that the biggest of the deer was not dead, but dying! And stricken by a final jolt of strength and energy, it stood up, and disoriented as it was, ran into the warehouse! Drunk as he was, Umbala couldnt do anything but look horrified at the dying deer, which in its final moments destroyed all his pots before collapsing. With his head cleared by this horror, Umbala shrieked with terror and sadness! Ill die of hunger! he cried, I have nothing to trade, and no saved food or goods to live off while I make more pots!, he whined. Umbala was at a loss. He was alone in this world, and due to his arrogance he would die of hunger in isolation Or so he thought! After crying for a long while, Umbala still had his hands covering his eyes, so he didnt notice how surrounded by love he was until he felt hands and arms around him. Fa ia achuene, everything is good now. All the members of Bobesicca surrounded him, and even some hunters and neighbors!
Many had brought food, and others brought clay and hands. With their help, Umbala wouldnt become a powerful man from one day to the next. But he would survive and thrive again. Umbala enjoyed the biohote, and successfully bargained for time to make the pots he couldnt make. But the greatest of gifts his community gave him, was that of growth. The Muisca people may be fierce, and we may even be harsh in our punishments! But we support each other! Something every chief and every kid should remember! We are all children of Bachu!