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Naylamp, Naymlap or Ñañlap is a mythological character from Ancient Peru. According to stories collected by Spanish chroniclers, it came from the sea, bringing civilization to the Lambayecan lands (north of present-day Peru), where it founded a kingdom or lordship in which several kings succeeded each other (Lambayeque culture), before be conquered by the Chimu. In pre-Columbian art he is represented with combined anthropomorphic and zoomorphic features (preferably bird). His name would mean, in the Muchik language, “bird or water hen”. For Federico Kauffmann Doig, he is one more version of the Andean god of water.
The myth
Landing of Naylamp, at the Brüning Museum
Coming from the south and leading some reed horses, Naylamp reached the Lambayeque coasts, landing on the beaches of what is now San José Cove and at the foot of the mouth of a river called Faquisllanga (Lambayeque River). He was accompanied by a retinue of officials, versed in different arts and crafts, as well as his wife Ceterni and several concubines. He went about 2 km from the coast, where he built a temple, which he named Chot (possibly the current Huaca Chotuna) and in it he placed an idol of green jade which he called Yampallec. From there would come the name of Lambayeque given to the region. Said idol represented Naylamp himself.
Naylamp would therefore be the legendary founder of the Sicán or Lambayeque Kingdom in the 9th century AD. and when he died he was divinized by his children. They told that Naylamp was immortal and that he decided to become a bird, returning to his place of origin. The dynasty founded by Naylamp ruled the rich valleys of Lambayeque. These kings were: Cium, Escuñain, Mascuy, Cuntipallec, Allascunti, Nofan nech, Mulumuslan, Callecoll, Lanipat cum, Acunta and Fempallec. Twelve in all, including Naylamp.
The last of these kings, Fempallec, wanted to move the Yampallec idol, which caused divine wrath. While in this trance, a demon in the form of a woman appeared to him and tempted him to have carnal relations. As divine punishment, there was a great flood that lasted 30 days, which was followed by a period of drought and famine such as had never been seen (possibly it is the description of the effects of a severe El Niño phenomenon). The priests blamed Fempallec for the disasters, and in revenge, tied his hands and feet, and threw him into the sea. Thus ended the Naylamp dynasty. The Lambayeque Valley was plunged into chaos, until the Chimú kingdom conquered the region in the 14th century.
Source: Wikipedia