Abchanchu is a legendary Bolivian vampire known for his deceptive ability to shapeshift into a harmless, elderly traveler. He preys on compassionate individuals who offer their help, only to reveal his true, predatory nature. This creature is a chilling figure in Bolivian folklore, embodying themes of deception and nocturnal terror.

Abchanchu

Acalica are mythological weather-fairies from Bolivia known for their ability to control the weather. They are rarely seen and dwell within secluded cave systems. When they appear, they manifest as small, wizened men, embodying the enigma of nature.

Acalica

Ai Apaec, also known as Aiapæc or Wrinkled Face, is a principal deity in Moche iconography. He is revered as the creator god and protector of the Moche, providing water, food and military triumphs. His fearsome, snake‐belted visage embodies both creative power and punitive wrath.

Aiapæc

Amarum is a Quechua mythological spirit depicted as a water boa. It is known for its power to bring rain and nurture the land. Its presence is celebrated as a vital force in the natural cycle of fertility and life.

Amarum

Amaru is a mythological chimera-serpent from Andean and Inca traditions, depicted as a double-headed creature with a blend of animal features. It resides in subterranean and aquatic realms, symbolising the vital forces of water and agricultural abundance. Its dual nature as a protector and destroyer reflects the complex interplay of creation and chaos in Andean cosmology.

Amaru (mythology)

Anchanchu is a fearsome demon from Aymara mythology known for haunting dark, isolated locales and manifesting as both a red dog and a bald, pudgy older man. He serves as a supernatural gatekeeper over precious minerals, enforcing a strict ritual for access. His chilling nocturnal appearances instill terror among those who dare to traverse the Andean wilds after midnight.

Anchanchu

The Chullachaki is a mysterious and mythological forest creature from the Peruvian and Brazilian Amazonian jungle. Known as the 'one-footed', it is renowned for its uncanny shape-shifting abilities that allow it to mimic human forms and deceive wanderers. Rooted in indigenous Amazonian folklore with Quechua influences, this elusive being embodies the enigmatic spirit of the jungle.

Chullachaki

El Tío is a devil-like spirit revered in the Cerro Rico mines of Potosí, Bolivia as the Lord of the Underworld. Often depicted with goat-like features, he is both a protector of the mines and a harbinger of destruction if neglected. His dual nature is celebrated and feared, playing a central role in local mining rituals and the Carnaval de Oruro.

El Tío

Goranchacha is a mythic cacique and prophet of the Muisca, reputed to be the son of the Sun god Sué. He led the northern Muisca Confederation with divine guidance and visionary foresight. His legacy remains an integral part of South American indigenous mythology.

Goranchacha

Inti is the ancient Inca sun god revered as the patron deity of the Inca Empire. He embodies the solar aspects through multiple stages of the sun. Celebrated in rituals like Inti Raymi, Inti is central to Inca cosmology and state ideology.

Inti

Kalku is a malevolent sorcerer from Mapuche mythology renowned for wielding black magic and negative energies. He is distinct from the benevolent machi shamans, embodying the dangerous aspects of arcane sorcery. Rooted in indigenous tradition, Kalku also reflects ancient cultural exchanges between Mapuche and Central Andean cosmologies.

Kalku

Kasogonagá is a Toba weather goddess known for her vivid, animal-like appearance and her ability to shoot lightning from her mouth. She appears in shamanic visions induced by psychoactive plants. Her presence is strongly connected to the Andes mountains.

Kasogonagá

Muki is a goblin-like creature from Central Andean mythology known for its underground presence in mines and caves. It is a notable figure in mining folklore across Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. The creature’s varied names across different regions underscore its deep cultural resonance.

Muki (mythology)

Pariacaca is an Incan creator and storm god renowned for controlling the forces of weather and embodying the power of creation. Described in the Huarochirí Manuscript, he plays a dual role as a nurturer and a formidable force. His dominion over storms and creation highlights the intricate balance of nature in Andean cosmology.

Pariacaca (god)

The Pishtaco is a folkloric boogeyman from the Andean region, feared for its grim practice of extracting body fat from its victims. It is deeply rooted in the cultural and historical context of Peru and Bolivia. This creature embodies the exploitation and terror experienced by indigenous communities during and after colonial times.

Pishtaco

Supay is an ambivalent Andean underworld spirit from Quechua, Aymara, and Inca mythologies, known for his shadow-like manifestation. Originally both benevolent and harmful, he embodies the dual nature of life and death in Andean beliefs. Later, Christian interpretations reimagined him as a devilish figure, shifting his role in myth.

Supay

Wayra Tata, known as the Father of Wind, is an Andean deity depicted as a two-headed humanoid entwined with serpents. He governs hurricane winds and fertilizing rains crucial for the agricultural cycles of the Andes. His enduring cultural impact is reflected in both ancient worship and modern tributes, such as the naming of high-performance sports cars.

Wayra Tata

Yacumama is an enormous aquatic serpent from the Amazon Rainforest renowned as the 'Mother of Water.' It is believed to be the progenitor of all aquatic life, drawing fear with its ability to suck up any living creature within 100 steps. Indigenous peoples traditionally blew a conch horn to discern its presence, underscoring its cultural significance in Amazonian lore.

Yacumama

The Yacuruna are mythical water people from the Amazon basin, famed for their beautiful underwater cities near river mouths. Their name is derived from Quechua, meaning 'water man'. These enigmatic beings are deeply rooted in the indigenous folklore of the Amazon.

Yacuruna

Zapam Zucum is an indigenous goddess revered among the Aymara and Diaguita peoples of northern Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia. She is depicted as a dark-skinned, voluptuous figure with striking white hands. Renowned as the protectoress of the sacred algarrobo tree, she embodies the nurturing and protective forces of nature.

Andean Creatures