Mapuche religion

The beliefs of the Mapuche and their mythology, stories about to the world and creatures born of the extensive and old religious beliefs, next to a series of common legend and myths that belong to the different groups that compose the Mapuche ethnic group (Mapuche, Huilliche, etc.).

Description

In the mythology and beliefs of the Mapuche people, the machi "shaman", a role usually played by older women, is an extremely important part of the Mapuche culture. The machi performs ceremonies for the warding off of evil, for rain, for the cure of diseases, and has an extensive knowledge of Chilean medicinal herbs, gained during an arduous apprenticeship. Chileans of all origins and classes make use of the many traditional herbs known to the Mapuche. The main healing ceremony performed by the machi is called machitun.

Legends and mythical creatures

The most important myths are:

• the legend of Trentren Vilu and Caicai Vilu (Ten Ten-Vilu and Coi Coi-Vilu)
• the Cherufe
• the Chonchon
• the Colo Colo
• the Gualichu
• the kalku
• the Ngen spirits
• the Nguruvilu
• the Peuchen
• the Pillan spirits
• the Wekufe spirits

See also

• Mapuche
• Mapudungun
• Machi (shaman)
• Chilota mythology
• Chilean mythology
• Mapuche International Link
• Chemamull

References

• Juan Luis Nass. Mitología mapuche. Volumen 40 de Colección 500 años. Colección 500 años (Ediciones Abya-Yala) ; 40. Volumen 40 de 500 años. Ediciones ABYA-YALA, 1991 (Spanish).