Many centuries ago, in the mountains and valleys of Oaxaca, lived Princess Donají, a young Zapotec known for her nobility and love for her people. Her name meant “Great Soul,” and she truly was, because Donají not only cared for her royal family but also for every inhabitant of the Zapotec kingdom.

In those times, the Zapotec people were at war with the Mixtecs, a neighboring tribe. The battles between the two peoples were constant, and many warriors had fallen. Donají’s father, the great King Cosijoeza, did everything he could to protect his people, but the Mixtecs were powerful and wanted to take control of the Zapotec lands.

One day, during a fierce battle, Donají was captured by the Mixtecs. They knew she was the king’s daughter, so they took her as a hostage to force the Zapotecs to surrender. But Donají, brave and determined, refused to show fear. Her only wish was for her people to be safe.

The Mixtecs took the princess to a hidden place in the mountains and held her captive for a long time. Eventually, King Cosijoeza had to accept the Mixtecs’ terms to end the war, but the peace came at a bitter price: although the Zapotec people were freed, Princess Donají was sacrificed by the Mixtecs to seal the truce.

It is said that, before she died, Donají had a vision in which she saw her people thriving in peace and harmony. With that image in her mind, the princess closed her eyes and left this world with the hope of a better future for her people.

Many years later, when the conflict was only a memory, a shepherd walking through a field near a river discovered a strange plant blooming alone in the ground. The plant had white flowers so pure they caught his attention. Carefully digging, the shepherd uncovered a skull with a flower growing from its forehead. It was the head of Princess Donají, who had been secretly buried.

The discovery was taken as a symbol of eternal peace and the protection Donají continued to offer her people even after her death. Today, the legend of Princess Donají lives on in Oaxaca, and the white flower is remembered as a sign of her sacrifice and love for her people.

What is the historical origin of the Legend of Donají?

The Legend of Donají originates from the Zapotec culture, specifically in the Oaxaca region, and tells the story of a princess who sacrificed her life for the well-being of her people.

Why was Donají captured by the Mixtecs?

Donají was captured by the Mixtecs due to the war between the Zapotecs and the Mixtecs. The Mixtecs sought to secure victory over the Zapotecs by taking the princess as a hostage.

What does Princess Donají’s sacrifice symbolize in the legend?

Donají’s sacrifice symbolizes her unconditional love for her people, as she chose to give her life to protect the Zapotecs and ensure peace.

What does the white flower that grew on Donají’s grave represent?

The white flower that grew on her grave represents Donají’s purity and immortal spirit, symbolizing her connection to the land and her sacrifice for peace.

What is the meaning of “Great Soul,” the name of Donají?

“Great Soul” reflects Donají’s noble and brave character, as she showed great strength in facing her fate for the well-being of her people.

How does the war between the Zapotecs and Mixtecs affect Donají’s story?

The war between the Zapotecs and Mixtecs is the central context of the story, as it was the conflict that led to Donají’s capture and sacrifice, triggering the events of the legend.

What vision did Donají have before her death and what does it symbolize?

Donají had a vision of her people’s destruction before her death, symbolizing her deep spiritual connection with the Zapotecs and her ability to foresee the pain that would come if she did not sacrifice herself.

Where is Donají’s resting place according to the legend?

According to the legend, Donají’s body was buried in a secret place, and later her grave was discovered when a white flower sprouted from the ground, marking the site.

What lessons does the Legend of Donají teach about sacrifice and love for one’s people?

The legend teaches the importance of sacrifice for the collective good, showing how love for one’s people and loyalty to one’s culture can overcome even the fear of death.

How is the Legend of Donají commemorated in Oaxacan festivals?

The Legend of Donají is commemorated during the Guelaguetza festivities in Oaxaca, where a theatrical representation of her story is performed to honor her legacy.