Devil's Cave

La Cueva del Diablo, or Devil's cave, in Mitla, was a unique and intriguing experience for us.

Throughout our time in Oaxaca, we heard numerous myths and legends about the area, but none quite as perplexing as that of "la Cueva del Diablo." The stories we heard varied greatly, but one thing was consistent: a number of the locals seemed to avoid the place.

When our friend Benito offered to take us to the entrance of the cave, we couldn't resist. As we approached the entrance, we were met with thousands of bottles, which we initially thought were alcohol bottles, but upon closer inspection, we realized they were the remains of burnt candles.

As we entered the cave, we were greeted with the faint glow of fire and the musky smell of dampness. We saw flowers, offerings, piles of feathers, and candles burning in different sections of the cave.

The cave narrowed into a tunnel, where the light from the entrance had reached its end. The floor of the cave started to turn to mud, and the faint sound of trickling water could be heard.

This was the point that we both decided not to go further. It was simply too narrow and slick with mud.

But as we looked ahead, we could see movement. It was two chickens, pecking at the surrounding offerings. We were certain that these chickens had been tied up and left for dead, but as I zoomed in and took photos with the camera, it was clear that they were not tied at all.

This was the strangest thing for us, as we would expect to see "animal offerings" tied against their will or sacrificed in the moment like the piles of feathers that covered the cave floor.

Caves have always been a source of life and legend. From the earliest accounts of writing and storytelling, these caves have been the place of the underworld, where the darkness meets the light, where the above meets the below.

This particular cave was one of many that supported families and communities more than 10,000 years ago when the nomads began to domesticate corn and squash, settle and become "civilized."

All in all, our visit to Devil's cave was a powerful reminder of the enduring power of myth and legend, and how these stories continue to shape our understanding of the world around us. The cave's eerie atmosphere and the offerings left behind by visitors served as a testament to the deep-rooted beliefs and superstitions that still exist in modern times. It was a humbling experience to be in the presence of something so ancient and mysterious, and one that we will not soon forget...

~Glen