Chechén and Chaka: The Living Legend Among Yucatán’s Trees
Chechén and Chaka: The Living Legend Among Yucatán’s Trees In the oldest corners of the Mayan jungle, where the humidity paints mist between roots and stones, two trees grow side by side, as if fate had bound them together forever: the chechén and the chaka. But this is more than a botanical coincidence. It’s a story of contrast, punishment, and redemption that has been passed down for generations in Yucatán. Chechén: The Tree That Burns The chechén (Metopium brownei) is a dark-trunked and elegant tree that, at first glance, shows no sign of danger. However, its sap is poisonous and causes severe skin irritation: burning, blisters, and a reaction much like a burn. That’s why many know it as the “tree that cries poison.” The ancient Maya learned to fear it—but also to respect it. They knew that in nature, beauty can be deadly. Thus, the chechén became a symbol of resentment and punishment. Chaka: The Tree That Heals Right next to the chechén, as if watching over or soothing it, the chak...