Our most popular beverage, the “mate”, has of

course numerous legends that explain its origin. This

one belongs to the “guaranies”, the indigenous
group of the Mesopotamian region. The legend says
that this stimulating shrub was give to a man by
YASI, the moon.

THE ORIGIN OF KAÁ-GUASÚ OR YERBA MATE bandy legged anteaters or “aba-caé” and wondered at
the beautiful coloured feathers of the “mbytú”, and
Although Yasi, the Moon, could see from above all the
the “mbaé-i-humbi” – an amazonian humming-bird.
extent of the land during her long night strolls, she
They were so amazed that they could not see the
only knew the silver rivers, the foamy waterfalls and
quiet “yaguareté” who, hungry after a long night, was
the thick green forest mattress that hid precious
hiding in the bushes. When they say it, it was too late.
treasures of life under its
As the fierce animal was about to attack the girls a
impenetrable surface. Yasi was
swift arrow pierced its side and tumbled it.
very curious, ans she was really
interested in seeing the The feline turned to its aggressor, a young guaraní
wonders she had been told of hunter who was just passing by. Before he could
by the sun, the rain and the end with the animal’s life, the young man saw the
morning dew. They, unlike Yasi, shape of the two girls running away in terror.
had reached the forest Then, tired after the fierce fight, he fell asleep
depth and had seen the under a “ceibo” tree and dreamt that
spiders kitting their two beautifl women with white skin
webs among the and long fair hair came up to him
trees, the “coaties” and called his name. They told him
hunting in the that they wanted to thank him for
warm evenings, the having saved their lives and in return
colourful birds nestling they would give him a present from
their eggs, and all the Kuarajhi. “It is a plant which you will
wonderful things that call “KAÁ”. With it you will be able to
Nature so generously make a beverage
reveals. that brings lonely
hearts together and
One day Yasi and
dispels loneliness. This is
Arai, the Cloud, asked
Kuarajhi’s present for you, for
permission to
your children and for your
Kuarajhi, the Sun, to
children’s children”. That
come down together
evening, when the brave
to the earth and see
hunter returned to
the precious gifts from
his “tavá”- the
Nature. He allowed
village or group of
them, but warned them
houses where he
that they would suffer from
lived- , he found a new
the same weaknesses as men, and
shrub with bright oval leaves that grew everywhere.
that they would be exposed to the same dangers,
Following Yasi’s directions, he chopped the leaves
despite the fact that they would not be seen.
carefully, put them in a small dry gourd, filled it with
The next morning the two girls were walking in the fress water from the river, placed a thin cane inside it
forest among the giant “lapachos”, “quebrachos” and and tried the drink. He liked its soft bitter taste, and
“urundays”, making their way through the rich he offered it to his family. Then he called the
vegetation and knitting flower necklaces with the neighbours in the “tavá”, and he treated them to the
delicate orchids and passionflowers or “mburucuyás”. new beverage. Soon the “mate” was passed round
They played with the funny monkeys or “cá-carayá”, from hand to hand. From that day on the habit of
talked to the colourful “guacamayos”, laughed at the drinking “mate” started.