Long ago, along the winding waters of the Iguazú River, the Guaraní people believed in M'Boi, a supreme serpent deity and son of the god Tupa. M'Boi ruled over the river and all the creatures beneath its waters, and the people lived in awe of his immense power. To appease his wrath and ensure peace for the tribe, they were required each year to offer their most beautiful maiden to the river, a girl honored as the Chosen of the River.
One year, a young woman named Naipí was selected as the offering. But a courageous warrior named Tarobá loved her deeply and could not allow her to become the serpent’s sacrifice. On the night before the ritual, Tarobá secretly placed Naipí in a small canoe, and together they drifted along the river, hoping to escape M'Boi’s dominion and find a life of freedom.
When M'Boi discovered their escape, his fury shook the earth itself. The great serpent lashed his tail beneath the river, splitting the land and creating a massive chasm. The river erupted violently, tossing the lovers’ canoe into a towering cascade of falling water. From this rupture, the mighty Iguazú Falls was born, with hundreds of roaring streams thundering into the abyss, earning its name in Guaraní, meaning “Great Water.”
To ensure they remained forever within his domain, M'Boi transformed the lovers into eternal guardians of the falls. Naipí became a massive rock in the heart of the waterfall, forever encircled by the roaring water. Tarobá became a towering tree at the edge of the precipice, his roots gripping the soil as he gazed eternally toward the rock where his beloved was imprisoned. M'Boi withdrew into the depths of the gorge, known as Garganta del Diablo, to watch over them. Legend says that when a rainbow arches over the falls, it is the bridge of love allowing their spirits to reach each other across the tumultuous waters.
The tale of Iguazú Falls teaches the miraculous power and danger of water, reminding humanity that rivers are both life-giving and destructive. It underscores the importance of respecting nature, showing that humans must honor the balance between themselves and the divine forces of the world. Above all, it celebrates enduring love, for even in punishment, Naipí and Tarobá remain forever connected, their bond as inseparable as the land and waters they inhabit.