The first white man to see the waterfalls was Spanish conquistador, Alvaro Nuñez Cabeza de Vacca, who in 1542, while surveying for a new passage to Asuncion, Paraguay; discovered the waterfalls which he named the Santa Maria. He was dazzled and charmed by the entire region. Off the banks of the Santa Maria there was a large Indian nation known as the Caigangue people that called the river and the waterfalls "Iguazu" or Great River.

During his stay, the Indians revealed to him the 'legend' of how the waterfalls were created. "Once upon a time there was Tupa, the Supreme God of everything that exists. There was also Me'Boi, the son of Tupa the Serpent God of the waters, who the Caigangue people worshipped for his grace and protection. In return for his good favors, every year the Indians would dedicate to the Serpent God the most beautiful maiden of the Caigangue nation to be his bride.

Destiny would have it that Naipi, the beautiful daughter of the great tribal chief, Igobi, while walking along the banks of the river, allowed her image to reflect at length in the sweet mirrored surface of the lguazu waters.

The young princess was so beautiful that she drew the eyes of Me'Boi from the depths of the river, desiring Naipi to be sacrificed to him as his bride. However, the young beautiful princess Naipi was in love with a brave young warrior named Taroba, and he loved her in return.


The young couple had promised each other to be together forever... The remainder of the story is revealed on our five-minute VHS promo, available upon request.