The Peruvian Amazon is full of myths and legends that are an important part of the worldview of the local indigenous peoples. The dense jungle, with its mystery and biodiversity, has inspired fantastic tales about mythical creatures for centuries, some of them with the aim of explaining natural phenomena or warning about specific dangers.
Next, we will explore some of these in depth. Mythological creatures that still inhabit the collective imagination of those who live in the jungle or visit it.
The Tunche
One of the most feared beings in the Peruvian Amazon jungle is the WhitewashThis is an evil spirit that is characterized by emitting a piercing and terrifying whistle at night. If the whistle is heard nearby, there is no immediate danger, as it means that the Tunche has passed by. However, if it is heard in the distance, the danger is imminent: the Tunche is approaching. It is said that those who hear it often fall seriously ill or even die. The inhabitants of the Amazon believe that the Tunche punishes evil people, which is why its whistle is often seen as a bad omen or a warning of death or illness.
Some versions of the myth suggest that the Tunche can also take the form of known people, making it an even more deceptive and dangerous creature for those exploring the jungle.
The Yacuruna
Yacuruna He is also a central figure in Amazonian mythology. His name means “water man” and he is described as the lord of rivers and bodies of water. According to legend, the Yacuruna can transform into a physically attractive human, allowing him to seduce women. Riding a black alligator and adorned with snakes and vines, the Yacuruna has the power to control aquatic creatures. He is said to inhabit the depths of Amazonian rivers and is invoked during ayahuasca sessions by the region’s shamans to ask for favors or protection.
In addition to taking the form of a handsome man, it is believed that he can turn into a pink dolphin to move stealthily among people, especially near rivers and lakes. Stories tell of unsuspecting women being taken to the bottom of rivers by the Yacuruna, where they remain trapped forever as servants of this all-powerful being.
The Chullachaqui
Another prominent figure in Amazonian mythology is the chullachaqui, also known as a goblin or demon of the forests. This being is described as a small man with a deformity in one of his legs: one of his limbs is normal, while the other may be a goat's leg or is twisted backwards. Legend has it that the Chullachaqui deceives people by pretending to be a loved one in order to lure them into the heart of the jungle, where he makes them get lost forever.
The Chullachaqui also has the ability to transform into animals and uses this ability to confuse those who venture too far into the jungle. Many women in the jungle fear meeting him, since according to tradition, if the Chullachaqui falls in love with a maiden, she can disappear or turn into a being like him.
The Runamula
La runamula, of colonial origin, is a creature that appears on nights of the full moon and terrifies the inhabitants of the Peruvian Amazon. This entity is a mix between a woman and a mule. Its origin dates back to the beliefs brought by the Spanish, who associated the Runamula with women punished for having had relations with priests or having been involved in forbidden unions, such as marriages between close relatives. Legends say that the violent and terrifying braying of the Runamula can be heard at night, and its appearance is seen as an omen of calamity.
The Yacumama
Another feared figure in the Amazon is the Yacumama, also known as the “Mother of Water.” This is a snake of colossal proportions, capable of reaching up to 50 meters in length. The Yacumama inhabits the deep waters of rivers and lakes, and is believed to be the protector of these vast sources of water. According to legends, this giant snake can hypnotize its prey, launching powerful jets of water that knock down everything in its path, including trees and small boats.
Amazonian shamans often warn of the presence of the Yacumama in lakes, rivers and lakes, and many fishermen make offerings before entering the waters to avoid encountering this mythical being.
The Mapinguari
El Mapinguari, also known as the “father of the mountains,” is another legendary being from Amazonian mythology. Described as a large beast, covered in hair and with a mouth on its belly, the Mapinguari is a protector of the forests. It is said that its mission is to punish hunters and loggers who mistreat the forest. The Mapinguari is believed to emit a strong odor that stuns its victims, leaving them unable to defend themselves or escape.
Some scientists suggest that Mapinguari may be based on sightings of extinct animals, such as Megatherium, a giant sloth that lived in South America thousands of years ago.
Many Amazonian inhabitants still believe in the existence of the Mapinguari and claim to have heard its roar or smelled its characteristic scent deep in the jungle.
The Sachamama
La SachamamaSachamama, or “Mother of the Jungle,” is another mythical being in the Amazonian worldview. Related to nature and trees, this being is represented as a giant snake, which over the course of thousands of years has stopped moving and has taken root in the earth, becoming part of the forest. It is said that any creature that approaches Sachamama is caught by its immense strength and devoured. Its role in Amazonian myths is both feared and respected, as it is believed that it protects the trees and beings of the forest.
Motelomama
The myth of the Motelomama refers to a gigantic turtle that carries a part of the Amazon rainforest on its shell. This creature is seen as the mother of all Amazonian turtles, and it is believed that its shell is so large that it forms an island in itself, where trees grow and animals live. Local people believe that if this giant turtle moves, it causes large earthquakes or land movements, and they revere the Motelomama as a protector of the biodiversity of the rainforest.
Currently, although turtles of this size have not been sighted, motelo turtles (Chelonoidis denticulata), common in the Amazon rainforest, are seen as a symbol of the rich fauna of the place and of the myths that still persist among the inhabitants.
With each of these mythical beings, the Peruvian Amazon is presented as a place full of mysteries and legends. The ancestral knowledge transmitted from generation to generation connects us with the deep relationship between humans and nature, which continues to fascinate all those who enter these territories.