The spirit of the buried treasure of Sutiava

     In the indigenous community of Sutiava, León, it is believed that twice a year, during Holy Week and in August, the spirit of a buried treasure emerges from the warm waters of Poneloya Beach. This nocturnal apparition takes the form of a golden, giant crab, because it is made of gold, with eyes shining like precious stones. It travels the path from Poneloya until it reaches Sutiava (also known as Subtiava or Sutiaba), circling the main corners of the city, crossing bridges, wandering through streets, and passing through squares, avoiding the hands of the most daring who attempt to capture it. Those who come close to it find themselves unable to move and mute for several days.

    According to the story, the legend of the "golden crab," as it is popularly known, originated after the conquistadors hanged Chief Adiac on a large Tamarind tree that still stands like a silent witness to the passage of time. It is said among the people of León that the chief is enchanted and that there is a great treasure buried in the city. The day someone manages to capture the crab, the enchantment will finally be broken, and the person who catches it will become the owner of all that treasure.

It is said that this legend was created by the Subtiava people to preserve their own identity, which is their greatest treasure, representing themselves with the qualities of this rebellious and cunning animal. The heroic community refuses to be caught by new and different cultures.