- The 5 most popular legends of the Peruvian jungle
- Yacumama
- The Tunche
- Yacuruna
- The Chullachaqui or duende of the jungle
- The Runamula
- References
Among the main legends of the Peruvian jungle are the Yacuruna, the Chullachaqui, the Tunche, the Runamula and Yacumama. They are cultural stories that narrate everyday events that occurred in indigenous peoples settled in the great Amazon jungle or its surroundings.
Today they are taken as part of the indigenous idiosyncrasy of the region, which allows us to know much more in-depth the characteristics of the Amazon populations. Often, the main theme developed by the legends of the Peruvian jungle is related to the religious sphere.
The Yacumama is said to look like an anaconda. Source: pixabay.com
In the legends mythological and spiritual beings living within the Amazon jungle are described. These spirits or souls take different forms to protect the forest from people who do not belong to it, although they can also perform evil actions on the same inhabitants of the forest.
Most of the accounts explain the disappearances of people who travel through the Amazon jungle, who do not find a way back and whose whereabouts are unknown. The indigenous communities attributed this disappearance to the mythological beings that, according to their culture, inhabit the jungle.
In general, these beings have a negative connotation, as they are described as dark beings looking for victims. However, on some occasions they are also attributed tasks of protecting the resources and other beings of the forest.
The 5 most popular legends of the Peruvian jungle
Yacumama
It represents one of the most famous mythological figures in the Amazon. Her name is an indigenous compound word that means "mama" (mama) and "water" (yacu).
It is considered the protective spirit of the Amazon River. The Yacumama takes the form of a large snake quite similar to an anaconda, more than 30 meters long and with a head of approximately 2 meters.
Legend has it that, due to its large size, it remains immobile in the Amazon River. There he waits for boats that have navigation problems to pass by to devour his cops without any mercy.
The Tunche
His name is an indigenous word that means "fear." The form this creature takes is unknown, but many describe it as an evil spirit that roams the jungle in search of evil souls.
It is said that formerly the Tunche was a deranged man who became an evil spirit. Recognizing him is easy because he announces his presence by emitting a sound similar to a whistle.
As it gets closer, the Tuche's hiss gets louder and louder. The legend also explains that if the whistle is heard near a house or town, this is a sign of illness, misfortune or death.
The whereabouts of his victims are unknown: it is not known whether he eats them, abandons them to die lost in the jungle, or keeps them captive until they starve. The truth is that the legend indicates that the few people who have managed to escape from their hands have been upset.
Yacuruna
It is a spirit with a humanoid form considered a protective demon. Its name means "human" (rune) and "water" (yacu). It is said that it hovers on top of a black lizard and that it uses two snakes as a belt.
Despite his human appearance, it is said that he can take the form of an attractive man who seduces women who pass by the river. Through this tactic, he captures them and takes them to the depths of the lagoon or river where he lives.
Its history is usually linked to the legend of the pink dolphin, also called bufeo colorado; in fact, some people consider them a single being. This legend says that the Yacuruna can take the form of a pink dolphin, which in turn can transform into an attractive blond man who attracts women to catch them.
The Chullachaqui or duende of the jungle
It is about spirit that can alter its appearance. It usually presents itself as a human being and attracts those who walk through the jungle. The Chullachaqui is said to capture these people, who are never seen again.
This is one of the spirits to which a protector character is attributed. It is said that he is the guardian of plants and animals, and takes care of them from the mistreatment they receive from human beings.
In a special way, this spirit is related to rubber trees, which it also seeks to protect from indiscriminate exploitation carried out by man.
The Chullachaqui is closely linked with the indigenous populations; in fact, various records indicate that many inhabitants give gifts to the spirit to thank for the protection of their habitat. Likewise, in several towns he is known as "the grandfather of the indigenous people."
In addition to being able to transform at will, the Chullachaqui can also turn flutes into coral snakes, and coral snakes into flutes.
The Runamula
His name means "man" (rune) and "mule" (mule). It is a half woman and half mule creature that frightens visitors to the jungle with its sounds and braying.
Legend has it that its origin is due to a forbidden relationship that arose between a woman and a priest. However, there are stories they tell that it arises from the relationship between blood relatives.
The truth is that his figure represents forbidden relationships, infidelity and adultery; For this reason, the Runamula is presented to people who are in a situation similar to those mentioned above. The infidels are usually the most sought after victims by this spirit, whom it brutally attacks in the middle of the night.
The legend of this being also says that it usually appears in the villages at night and attacks adulterous women. He leaves a mark for them to be identified by the townspeople, thanks to whom they will suffer their sin for the rest of their lives.
References
- Velázquez, Stivalli. "8 mythological beings from the Amazon jungle of Peru" (2018). In Spark. Retrieved on June 31, 2019 on Chispa: chispa.tv
- Diffusion. "Myths and legends of the Peruvian jungle" In Peru. Retrieved on June 31, 2019 in Peru: peru.info
- Panamericana Televisión SA "El" Tunche ": the macabre mysteries of this jungle legend of terror" (2014) In Panamericana. Retrieved on June 31, 2019 in Panamericana: panamericana.pe
- Amazon Legends & Tribes. "The Chullachaqui of the Amazon" (2012). On Rainforest Cruises. Retrieved June 31, 2019 on Rainforest Cruises: rainforestcruises.com
- Thompson, Ryan. "Myths and Legends of the Peruvian Amazon" (2016). In Ryan D. Thompson. Retrieved June 31, 2019 on Ryan D. Thompson: ryandthompson.me
- Galeano, Juan Carlos. "Amazonian stories" (2014). At Florida State University. Retrieved on August 1, 2019 at Florida State University: myweb.fsu.edu
- Adamson, Joni. “The Latin American Observatory: Chullachaki's Chakra and Environmental Education in the Amazon basin” (2018) In The University of Sidney. Retrieved on August 1, 2019 at The University of Sidney: sydney.edu.au