Anchanchu

VampirePeru · South AmericaLegendFear 8/10

Description

A vampire from the folklore of Peru. The anchanchu, abchanchu or anchancho is a legendary Andean vampire largely originating from the…

Origin & Background

Anchanchu is a legendary Andes vampire originating from the Aymara region of Bolivia. According to tradition, Anchanchu is considered the illegitimate child of Ekeko, born from the affair between Chakamita's Mallku and his concubines. Ekeko is the central figure of the Alasitas festival held in La Paz, Bolivia, every January 24.

The Legend

Anchanchu is a being that can transform into an elderly traveler, a wealthy Aymara woman with golden teeth, an alluring green girl, or a monstrous animal. If a passerby offers help, Anchanchu will make them a sacrifice, draining their blood until they die from blood loss or disease. Anchanchu is regarded as the most feared evil entity among the Aymara people, becoming an object of terror due to its lethality. This being resides in the most desolate caves and grottos, often roaming the mountain paths and the edges of pastures at night.

Variants

The Anchanchu legend is also shared among Aymara communities in Peru, but the Peruvian version is quite different. In Peru, Anchanchu is described as a duende, a being similar to a dwarf. Known as Muki or Muqui, it lives underground and has a penchant for gold. Additionally, Anchanchu is associated with the Urus god Tiu, who is considered the guardian of mines, rivers, and lakes.

In Popular Culture

Descriptions of Anchanchu vary. Many online sources depict Anchanchu as a demonic entity, but in Aymara mythology, he is regarded as the gatekeeper of the underground mineral world. Before mining resources, one must pay homage to Anchanchu, which includes sacrificing a llama and dancing to the accompaniment of the Andean pan flute, siku. Due to this imagery, the Spanish associated Anchanchu with demons.

This article is based on the Wikipedia article "Anchanchu" (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikipedia