This cave is located on the Cabo Cruz karst plateau, characterized by the presence of dog teeth and other typical elements of these landscapes. The cave, carved out of limestone rock, coincides in its bed with the water table. It is 80m long, 120m wide and 17m deep. Due to studies carried out on it, it is possible that it was used by the aborigines for ceremonial purposes.
The Aruaco myth states: "Atabey, name of the Supreme Being, mother of the waters, there are five names for him: Atabey, Yermao, Guacar, Apito and Zumacao." Atabey means "respected mother", Guacar is related to the flow of the seas and menstruation, to the itabos or springs. Atabey governs the sweet and clean waters that flow from the mountains, from the depths of the forests or from the shores of the seas, between the rocks of its bed. (Arron, 1990).
The "idol of water", identified as the representation of Atabey, can be seen in the ceremonial cave of El Guafe. It consists of an anthropomorphic representation carved into a stalagmite, at the very entrance of the totally flooded cavern.
Outstanding archaeological values of the agro-pottery and pre-agro-pottery stages can be seen in the area, through the existing residues, and the presence of petroglyphs, pictographs and other evidence in some of its caves. The local population has a strong genetic and spiritual ancestry from our Aboriginal population.
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