Southamerica Mythology, part I

The day finally has coming, SouthamericanMyth had made a blog about southamerica's mythology !!!

In this blog series i will write about different cultures and civilizations across southamerica (excluding Surinam and both Guyanas), traditions, legends and cosmovisions that have survive oral tradition from early peoples cultures, to empires civilization, different tribes, the new legends and traditions that born with the contact with spanish conquerors and african black slaves trade in the continent.

For this particular blog, i will attach this map with the location of where it were all this myths belong and received cult.

The different colors in the map show the names of the regions or administrative divisions of the Inca empire, for now the important thing for this blog is the area spread of the Inca culture and mythology showed in the map and corresponding modern day nations.

Lets start with the myths !

Wiracocha / Viracocha

From: Pre-Inca and Inca culture, modern day Bolivia and Perú respectively

Overview: Supreme god, creator of the universe, the sky, earth, sun, moon, stars and time.

Details: there are different versions of his origin, usually he born from primordial waters or waters from Titicaca lake (in modern day Bolivia).

This deity created humanity, first he made a breed of stone giants that, at disobey and rebel to the gods, he destroyed them with a great flood. Then he shaped humans with clay, giving them life, languaje, and knowledge of agriculture.

When he finished his creation labour, her walked over the ocean, going to the west, leaving and promising a return in times of need.

Some of his surviving temples can be found in Cusco, Perú.

Inti

From: Inca mythology and later andean indigenous communities in Perú, Ecuador, Bolivia, north of Chile and northwest of Argentina.

Overview: Sun deity, major god during Inca empire and mythology

Details: the most extended tradition portraits him as son of Wiracocha, and brother or husband of Mama Quilla (moon goddess).

Considered a benevolent god, life bringer and ancestor of the Inca emperors, whom considered themself direct sons of Inti.

Pachamama

From: Similar to Inti, Inca civilization and wide andean peoples.

Overview: Mother earth, supreme goddess of fertility, nature and protection

Details: In some versions she is married with Pachacámac, in others with Inti.

She is a lifebringer deity, can grown and fertilize fields, fruits, livestock, as well punish with plagues, earthquakes or droughts when there is not shown respect.

In modern day there is still celebrations and traditions to her in andean villages and communities.

Supay

From: Central andean and Inca mythology

Overview: God or spirit ruler of the realm of the dead

Details: A dual and ambivalent nature force, he ruled dead, but also underground fertility, seeds germination and minerals riches.

With spanish conquest, christian syncretism asimilated with the christian Satan and hell. This syncretic fusion gave representations of dancing devils with horns, mask and colorful garments, festivities and traditional dances known as Diablada, folklore dance in Perú, Chile and one of the national dances in Bolivia.

Mama Cocha

From: Inca mythology, acroos the coast of Ecuador, Peru, south of Colombia and north of Chile

Overview: Primordial goddess of all waters

Details: Personifies and domain all bodies of waters (ocean, rivers, lakes), all wellsprings are considered her sons.

She is the patroness of fishermen, she was widely honored with offerings and rituals.

Pachacámac

From: Andean mythology pre-inca, particulary central coast of Peru

Overview: Creator deity, lord of the earthquakes

Details: Considered creator of the world, earth and human beings in different coastal pre-inca cultures. It was believed he liver in the earth interior, when he angers or moved his head, produced strong earth move and earthquakes.

Illapa

From: Inca mythology

Overview: God of thunder, lightning, rain and war. Other alternative names Apu Illapa

Details: He controlled the rain, he had a magic jar in wich he stored water in the sky, for Inca culture, it was believed that the milky way was this magical jar of him.

Mama Killa / Mama Quilla

From: Inca mythology

Overview: Mother moon, a moon goddess, daughter of Wiracocha, spouse and sister of Inti

Details: She placed the third rank of the inca pantheon, alongside Inti. She was essencial in the Inca civilization agriculture and calendar cicle of 28 days, important to the seasons of harvest and sowing.

It was believed that during moon eclipses, an animal was trying to devour her, so people gathered to make noise with screams and dogs to wake up her and scare away that beast.

Umiña

From: South coast of Ecuador, manteña culture in Ecuador

Overview: Local goddess of healing and fertility, originated from the Manteña people and spread in modern day Ecuador coast

Details: She was a young beautiful princess, daughter of a chieftain and a priestess or healer, she had emerald green eyes, at some point she dies, killed by a rival tribe or evil stepmother, from her chest emerged a emerald stone that healed anyone that touch it. Manta/Manteña people cult themed around this emerald.

Later christianity syncretized her with Virgen de Montserrat or Virgen de las Mercedes.

Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo

From: Inca mythology

Overview: Children of Inti and Mama Quilla, founders of the Inca civilization

Details: They born from the sacred waters of Titicaca lake (located in between Peru and Bolivia borders) emerging from it. Inti gave them a golden cane with the mission to search a fertile place. They founded in Cusco (Peru) the Inca civilization, Manco Capac taught men agriculture, fishing, building and the cult to the sun. Mama Ocllo taught women household chores, weaving garments and household.

From Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo union born the first and lineage of Inca emperors.

I put much effort on this blog, ill thank the claps

More parts are coming, wich region or culture would you like to be next?

Ill be reading

Stay legendary

END.