Mitologia Peruana | El Bestiario de la Amazonía | Mitología de la Selva

Mythology of Peru: The Bestiary of the Amazon

This video explores the mythology of Peru, specifically focusing on creatures from the Peruvian jungle.

The Chullachaqui

• The Chullachaqui is a goblin or small demon that adopts the form or figure of a person known to the victim.

• It cannot change the shape of its goat's leg, which often exposes it to the people it intends to deceive.

• Its victims are usually only evil or sinful people.

• People who have managed to escape their tricks describe it as having a human form, being a little over a meter tall and thick. He wears a red poncho and a large straw hat on an old man's wrinkled face.

The Yacumama

• The Yacumama is a gigantic boa that inhabits the rivers of the deep jungle.

• It can reach more than 60 meters in length and can launch powerful jets of water to knock down trees as it moves over land.

• When it reaches its maximum size and it is difficult for it to move, it leaves its head above water to wait for its prey, which it hypnotizes and hunts with ease.

The Tunche

• The Tunche is an evil spirit that wanders at night in the Peruvian jungle looking for someone to terrify with its unique and heartbreaking whistle.

• It is said that he is the soul of a man who did not achieve eternal rest due to torment by evil.

• Like Chullachaqui, he can also take on human forms to deceive his victims but prefers turning into a bird.

La Runamula

• La Runamula was born with the arrival of Spanish missionaries in the jungle when native or mestizo women joined in affairs with priests or men of God.

• They were cursed during full moon nights turning them into a creature half woman and half mule, hence its name.

• The way to help these women is to follow them while they are enchanted since when the day comes they return to being normal people.

The Yacuruna

• The Yacuruna is the most important magical spirit of the Amazon jungle.

• He inhabits the depths of Amazonian rivers and lakes, represented as an anthropomorphic reptile mounted on a huge black crocodile with turtle shells as sandals and a snake as a belt.

• He can become a very attractive man to conquer maidens and take them to his kingdom in the depths of water, where he turns them into aquatic beings and makes them his slaves.

Mysterious Creatures of the Amazon Jungle

This section describes some of the mysterious creatures that are said to inhabit the Amazon jungle.

Jungle Beasts

• Agile and fast, moves through treetops looking for victims.

• According to ancient chronicles written by Christian missionaries, this creature with satan's horns hunted them not to eat them but to be worshiped in hell.

La Motelo Mama

• A giant tortoise that grows a lush jungle on its shell.

• Serves to attract victims and feed.

• Considered the mother of all turtles in the Amazon jungle.

• Estimated age is thousands of years, it is even said that it has lived since the beginning of time.

The Colorado Bufeo

• Pink dolphin of the Amazon who can transform into a very handsome young man with blond hair during full moon nights at local parties and dances.

• He seduces young women who often disappear into rivers or become pregnant on land.

• Wears a white outfit and a hat that covers his large nostrils, which do not diminish during his transformation.

The Urcututo

• Great owl that lives in treetops located in the depths of the jungle.

• "Malero" sorcerers make secret pacts with these creatures using them to cause damage or send spells to their enemies or spy on ayahuasca sessions.

• Considered an animal of bad omen, its song being feared by inhabitants.

The Mapinguari

• Protective spirit represented as a large bipedal beast covered with hair and sharp claws that punishes hunters and woodcutters who damage the ecosystem of the jungle.

• Gives them a fetid smell that faints them, executing them later with its enormous force.

• Some believe it to be a kind of giant sloth bear.

The Ayaymama

• Nocturnal bird whose name comes from its pitiful song.

• According to some versions, it was during an epidemic that devastated a native population that a mother abandoned her children in a ravine to save them from the disease.

• The moon transformed them into two birds so they could continue their search for their mother, making their sad lament heard: ayay mama, ayay mama.

Ishingos

• Little goblins of the mountain who live in forests inside trees or holes in the ground.

• Mischievous and joking but some are of an evil nature capable of torturing human beings.

• Usually go out to have fun or play practical jokes on nights of rain and thunder.

La Cuda

• Specter that takes the form of a woman lost on the road.

• Found on edges of trails or highways where she usually takes advantage of people who agree to take her or bring her closer to her destination.

• When getting into the vehicle, she usually lifts her long dress and exposes her chicken legs, immediately transforming her face into a horrifying image and emitting an overwhelming guttural laugh where its name comes from.

• This terrifying image causes the driver to die days after said encounter although some manage to survive said dark experience.