We show you the South American Mythology. Discover in this article all the most famous legends, beliefs, religions and mystical beings.
Mythology of South America
The mythology of South America includes the myths and legends of all the countries that are part of this region, which is considered a sub-continent. It is also called “South America”, and its origin is particularly indigenous.
The diversity of cultures, languages, traditions, histories, among others, are due to the tribes that inhabited the entire region, which today is divided into different countries. In addition, after the arrival of the Spaniards, there was a cultural exchange that greatly influenced the mythology of the entire American continent.
Religion in South American Mythology
In South American mythology, the predominant religion with more than 90% of the population is “Catholicism”. Although a large part of the population belongs to the Christian religion, only a very small part actually practice it.
However, there are other religions such as Protestantism and agnosticism, which have caused more and more Christians to join them every day, increasing their population. Not to mention the people who belong to atheism.
Within the indigenous tribes that belong to the South American mythology, there are also other religions such as Judaism, the Afro-American religion and the Umbandist. In some communities, especially in Argentina, Islam is also present.
Relationship between the cultures belonging to South American mythology
The relationship that exists between the different cultures belonging to the mythology of South America is presented especially in “the representation and similarities of their deities” . This is due to the influence of the different factors present in their history, such as cultural exchanges, the myths of each region and the level of development of their culture and religion.
Among these similarities, one can see in the Amazonian culture a resemblance between their rituals, spirits and shamans; with the Inca gods of nature and their temples. Another similarity is the representation of the stars as superior deities, which greatly influence their lives and the creation of the world.
South American Mythology Beliefs
The different beliefs pertaining to South American mythology are very complex and even to this day create confusion among the different tribes of South American mythology.
From the beginning, the beliefs of the South American culture were imparted orally from generation to generation. This caused the alteration of their beliefs over the years.
Either by the influence of the different cultural exchanges they suffered from other countries; as well as by the misinterpretation of their myths and legends. In addition, the process of European “evangelization” suffered by the indigenous peoples of South America caused great confusion among the tribes, which has even lasted until today.
With the arrival of Christianity, many of these tribes were forced to change the vision of their original deities for the belief of a unique and all-powerful god, which was represented by “God”. As well as confusion with other figures, such as the Virgin Mary.
Other beliefs present in South American Mythology
Civilizing hero
In the different tribes of South American mythology, there is a civilizing hero who is also called a transformer hero. He is a mythological being, characterized by being powerful and undergoing changes similar to a metamorphosis.
Depending on each tribe, he may be represented by a great ancestor or simply the god creator of the world and all that inhabits it. In some cultures, it is even represented as a sacred animal for them.
The men
There are two opposing versions of the origin of man in South American mythology. In the first version, there is the belief that an all-powerful and unique being through the use of a non-specific material such as clay, mud, etc., created man.
This version is strongly influenced by European culture and the creation of Adam the first man in the Christian religion. While the second version, shows a story in which the first men to populate the world came from the sky; or from a subterranean world in other cases.
Death
Something in common that all the tribes that belong to the mythology of South America have in common is that death is something that men have to experience in their lives only because the civilizing hero decided so.
There is a belief that when a man reaches a very advanced stage of old age, he is ready to surrender to the sleep of death and wake up with the civilizing hero to be washed and reborn in another life.
The fire
The discovery of fire among the South American tribes represented an extremely important event in their way of life. Before the existence of fire, man was worth no more than an animal.
According to South American legends, fire always existed; it just did not belong to men. Its original owner was an animal, which is often represented as a spirit. Where the civilizing hero had to steal the fire for men, in the face of the spirit’s resistance to share it.
The plants
The different uses that the aboriginal tribes of South America apply to edible or cultivated plants are present in their most common myths and legends. And they are a fundamental part of their mythology.
Among them are the daily sustenance of food, as well as the medicinal use are factors in common among all South American tribes.
Cosmology in South American Mythology
Like most of the world’s mythologies, South American mythology is no exception when it comes to having a main all-powerful being related to the creation of the world; and all that exists in it.
The cosmology present in South American mythology is based on mythical beings that performed feats that are the origin of all the phenomena occurred in the culture of South American tribes that have no scientific explanation.
Among them, we can appreciate different deities with supernatural powers; and stories and myths that narrate inexplicable events and are part of the memories of the legacy of the indigenous culture of South America.
In addition, there is the fact that within the mythology of South America, there are in turn different mythologies of each people belonging to the South American territory.
And each of these tribes has a different vision and cosmology. But always with a point of vision and beliefs in common: “the common mother”, who was the creator of all things.
Current status of South American mythology
Currently, there is still very little physical evidence of records that accurately demonstrate the origins of the beliefs of South American mythology; for this reason there is still much confusion regarding their beliefs and traditions.
And this is due to the variations that their religion suffered for so many years due to the influence of other cultures during the colonization period.
The main reason for the lack of knowledge of this culture is simply due to the lack of interest of both the original indigenous tribes and the Europeans in their attempt to eradicate their beliefs, which were therefore considered pagan.
Leaving the research of South American mythology, limited to its current region without being shared internationally. Obtaining records of their few traces left as crafts, paintings, archeology, among others.
In addition, the oral tradition still survives through the years; however, this has been greatly altered from its origin by the narration from a non-native point of view of the South American indigenous tribes.
Myths and Legends of South American Mythology
1.- The Trauco
This legend, originally from the country of Chile, is about a creature that lives in the forests of Chile, and its main source of food is decomposed trees and fruits.
Its look is described as fierce, with extraordinary strength and the appearance of a goblin; with a cap and stone axe and clothes made of roots and bark of trees. The Trauco is an evil being that stalks young virgins, causing them libidinous dreams and even seducing them and making them pregnant.
2.- Myth of the Iguazu Falls
The Iguazu Falls are located between the countries of Argentina and Paraguay; however, this myth is popular among the Guarani tribes of Brazil. Since the Spanish conquest, myths and legends have arisen about these waters because of their majesty and the power and mystery of their falls and currents.
Among the most outstanding myths and legends is the story of an indigenous woman named Naipú who lived on the banks of the river. A great god went mad with love for her, and when Naipú was rejected by a mere mortal, the god created the Iguazú Falls to separate them.
3.- The rite of Nguillatún
This ritual is of utmost importance in the Mapuche culture; it is generally carried out on a hill or any place that represents height. A circle is made with stakes, where the entrance to the circle is always facing west.
Over the circle, arches are made with branches and flowers; as well as smaller ones inside the circle, the most used are laurels. And finally the planting of three different types of trees, around the circle of stakes.
This ritual is accompanied by the sacrifice of an animal, specifically a ram at least three years old. Where the leader of the ritual, with the help of a cane walks around the circle; followed by a young woman with laurel branches.
Behind them is a group walking barefoot and singing hymns, with the blood of the ram all those present are smeared with it and at the end they drink chicha and eat the meat of the sacrificed lamb. The Nguillatún rite has the purpose of asking for peace and healing the sick.
4.- The Machi
This myth is from the Mapuche tribe, where “la machi” is a representative figure of a caste. That is, a character that imposes or represents a great power of leadership within the tribe.
Generally, in each Mapuche tribe there is a machi, who obtains the position due to her level of knowledge about medicinal plants and the healing of illnesses; as well as the power to invoke the sacred spirits.
The Machi, who greatly influences the daily life of the Mapuche, is a kind of doctor who heals the body, mind and soul. She is an advisor in war and other situations of the tribe.
In most cases, the machis are women and have rituals for healing and also to invoke the sacred spirits, as well as the power to ward off evil spirits.
5.- The widow
This is a legend recognized throughout South America, it is about a woman who dresses in black and wears a veil to hide her face. She appears at night, always after midnight, in search of men seeking revenge.
It is said that those men who have encountered the widow, have witnessed a face in a state of decomposition that makes them faint, waking up totally disoriented.
6.- The origin of corn
There was a time when drought struck the land, all the waters dried up and the plants died. All the people died of thirst and hunger. Until one day, the two bravest warriors of the village, tired of seeing their people crying, went to the great wizard for help.
He told them that in order to end the famine and drought they had to make a sacrifice to the god Tupa. These warriors named Avati and Ne, decided to travel to distant lands to make the sacrifice.
When they found the sacred place, Ne dug a hole in the ground where he buried his great friend Avati in tears; then day by day he watered his grave with water from the river until an unknown plant sprouted from it.
Ne, ran to look for his people so that they would know the new sprout. And the magician of the people, narrated what happened with the sacrifice of Avati, and they took care of this plant. The god Tupá, granted them the rain and never again the people went hungry or thirsty.
Conclusion
The mythology of South America is made up of a set of stories and myths of all the indigenous tribes that began throughout the South American territory. Through the years, it suffered different changes due to the influence of different cultures that arrived to the territory; especially the most influential was the European culture.
And although the predominant religion is “Catholicism”, there is also a great diversity of other types of religions in lesser presence; among the most prominent are agnosticism and atheism. There is also a strong connection with African-American culture. Especially in countries such as Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela.
