The origin of Santa Maria passes by indigenous tribes of minuanos and tapes that inhabited the region . Surveys indicate the birth of the city from a post of Indians called “Keep Santa Maria ” , which belonged to a resort missionary of the Society of Jesus. These and other considerations have been taken from the work of Aristilda Recchia , entitled ” The History of the City of Santa Maria ,” realizing that the way of the developing the site was small and a narrow path in the middle of cleared jungles. According to José de Saldanha, The Minuanos, Inhabited in area or territory of the campaign, Coxilha de Pau Fincado. However, the majority, known as Tapes lived in the forest of Serra. The village came to be known as “Camp of Santa Maria”, which later joined with “Boca do Monte” because it was close to the entrance of the first major trail that led to “São Martinho” in “Monte Grande” or “Serra de São Martinho” and it has all to do with the origin of the brand Hotel Morotin. Find out more by reading the “Legend of Ymembui” below:

1. “Lived in complete peace and complete happiness, in a place where today stands the city of Santa Maria, two small tribes of Tapes and Minuanos – which had united for self-preservation and defense of property…”
2. “The crystal clear river “Taimbe” saw the birth of a beautiful girl who took the name Ymembui – “Child of the Water.” As the queen of the jungle, she always had attention and at the age of puberty, she gained prestige due to her stunning beauty and goodness that radiated from her heart …”
3. “The two friendly tribes had raised their village on the plains of river Taimbe, one at the right and another to the left, known as “Ybytory” (Land of Joy) being “Ybytory-Retan”, the settlement of the Land of Joy. The tribes inherited or learned the art of combat, who where vigilante to prevent the chief and the village from the approaching strangers …”
4. “Scouts, having seen the sleepy Indian village one morning, went there with the intention of doing wicked slave and imprisoned some Indians. The Scouts attacked the tribes with arms and ammunitions, but the Indians attacked back and destroyed everything in a few minutes and kept two members of scout(white) as prisoners…”
5. “The youngest of them named Rodrigues, was sentenced to death and the other was set free to carry a warning to his companions. Rodrigues was a handsome young man of thirty, robust and displayed serene courage which produced strong impression in the minds of the natives. He was tied under a ramada and was visited by the entire tribe, including Ymembui”
6. “Arriving at the house, she asked for the protection of the life of the white man, saying that she would suicide, if he is executed. Her determinantal statement saved the life of Rodrigues, with the condition of being belonging to the tribe and living in a hut next to the Cheif of tribe. He was named ‘Morotin’ (white man) …”
7. “Morotin loved her sincerely, marrying Imembuí and found happiness in the arms of his beloved wife. They had a son named José.. “

It is from this legend of magic, love and fighting spirit that endeavors Morotin want to continue by making history in Santa Maria and region.