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South America & Caribbean
Explore myths, traditions and legendary beings grouped under South America & Caribbean.
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Vichama
Vichama is a culture hero and divine figure associated chiefly with the central coast of Peru, especially the Huaura and Végueta region. Although often placed under the broad label of Inca mythology, his surviving legend…
Babalú Ayé
Babalú Ayé is an Orisha associated with illness, healing, epidemics, and the vulnerable human body in the Yoruba-derived religious traditions of the Caribbean, especially Cuban Lukumí or Regla de Ocha. He is commonly con…
Ibeji
Ibeji refers to the sacred twins of Yoruba religious tradition and, more broadly, to the spiritual importance attached to twins in Yoruba-speaking communities. The name is especially familiar in the Caribbean through Cub…
Inle
Inle is an orisha venerated especially in Cuban Lucumí, the Caribbean religious tradition that developed from Yoruba beliefs carried from West Africa to Cuba. He is commonly associated with healing, medicine, fishing, ri…
Orichas
Orichas are sacred divine beings honoured in Yoruba-derived religions of the Caribbean, especially Cuban Regla de Ocha-Ifá, commonly known outside the tradition as Santería. The word is a Spanish-influenced spelling of t…
Abe Mango
Abe Mango is an obscure and uncertain name associated in some modern lists with South American mythology. Unlike well-attested figures such as Yúcahu, Bochica, Makunaima or Supay, Abe Mango does not have a clearly docume…
Aguara-tunpa
Aguara-tunpa is a figure associated chiefly with Guarani-speaking peoples of South America, especially traditions identified with the Ava Guarani—formerly and controversially called Chiriguano—in eastern Bolivia and neig…
Aiomun Kondi
Aiomun Kondi is a name associated in modern reference works with an Indigenous creator or supreme being of the Guianas, in the northern part of South America. The identification is not entirely secure: spellings differ, …
Aluberi
Aluberi is a creator figure associated in modern reference works with the Arawak peoples of northern South America and the Caribbean. The name is usually presented as belonging to a supreme or primordial being responsibl…
Amana
Amana is commonly described in modern references as a rain goddess associated with Indigenous traditions of South America, especially the Tupian cultural world of Brazil and neighbouring regions. The identification is no…
Anatiwa
Anatiwa is a poorly documented name sometimes presented online as belonging to South American mythology. Unlike well-attested figures such as Mama Quilla, Anhangá, or the Mapuche Antu, Anatiwa does not have a securely es…