Monster of Lake Tota ATC (Folklore ATC #9)

Are you a fan of folklore? Would you like to create (and receive) ATCs of creatures from folklore from around the world? Then welcome to the Folklore ATC series!

ATC #9 features The Monster of Lake Tota! Who is this monster, you ask? Well, look no further than Lake Tota! Where is Lake Tota? Look no further than Colombia! And who is in the... ok, you know what, I'll just be direct. There are records of "a fish with a black head like an ox and larger than a whale" dating back to the 1600's, originally quoted from historian Lucas Fernández de Piedrahita. Sightings continued throughout history, and comparisons have been made to the "devil whale" type archetype.

But, perhaps more interesting -- the monster is also tied to the Muisca people. The Muisca people were the indigenous, pre-Columbian inhabitants of the area around Bogotá, and the monster may be associated with Busiraco, an evil spirit that manifested as a massive, black snake and lived in the dry, dusty cave that was to become the lake. According to their mythology, a "great dancer" used a massive gold disk to kill the snake, which had been terrorizing the people. A gem made of tears was then placed into the cave, which turned into the liquid -- which is now the lake.

Why is he still living there? It's hard to say. But he continues to pop up, so all we can do is create an ATC in his honor.

• Wikipedia article

• cryptid fandom article

Swap rules!

• 1 ATC to one partner

• standard 2.5" x 3.5" size, use a sturdy backing, landscape or portrait are acceptable. On the back, write your name, date, and the name of the swap. Make sure you include your username somewhere in the package (on the back of the card is fine).

• ATC can be any medium, please just put in effort. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE AN ARTIST. You just have to be willing to make art. The card you receive may reflect this.

• send the card in a protective sleeve -- you can buy trading card sleeves for cheap, or make one out of things like sticker cellophane, thin paper, etc. Make sure you have sufficient postage.

• open to newbies with full profiles, no unexplained 1's or 3's. Message me if you are unrated. I reserve the right to remove anyone for any reason, or to message you if I have any concern. This is not an insult to you, it is active hosting -- these swaps can get quite large, please respect my time & that I care enough to ask instead of just dropping people.

• rating is expected. 5 if it's done correctly and sent in a timely fashion, heart if you love it.

• I will angel, but please give 8 weeks after send date for your ATC to arrive!

Don't be shy to ask me anything you're unsure about. Also, feel free to leave suggestions for future subjects for the series in the comments.

Past Folklore Swaps

#1 - Baba Yaga

#2 - Yōkai

#3 - Gremlins

#4 - Shadow People

#5 - Banshee

#6 - Dragon

#7 - Anansi

#8 - Medusa

Upcoming Folklore Swaps

#10 - Wendigo

While this ATC series will continue for the foreseeable future, join Monsters, Myths, & Legends -- US ATC Swappers! if you want more swaps, a wider array of subjects and themes, art challenges, and to get in on hosting! Plus forums with RAKs, games, and more! MM&L: we're not just ATCs, but SB won't let you change a group name!