South American Mythology

Zapana and Cari were two pre-Inca leaders among the Indians of the Collao who conquered many forests, pucaras, of the Indians. Zapana, a great chief, helped stabilize the Indians of the Collao after the early pre-Inca period by bringing many under his command. One of these leaders went onto the larger island of Lake Titicaca where he … Read more

There are further stories about a second man similar in appearance to Ticci Viracocha but his name is not given. According to the peoples’ forbears wherever he passed he healed and restored sight to the blind by words alone. But even after working such miracles in one village, Cacha, the people rose up and turned against him … Read more

  Tupan is the thunder god among the Guarani Indians of Paraguay and Brazil. They envision him as a human being seated on a trough, noisily crossing the sky. He is associated with the Christian God. Even though Christianized, several Guiana and Amazonian tribes attribute thunder to fantastic birds beating their wings during storms, also resulting … Read more

  Ticci Viracocha, is said to be the Creator of all things by both the Indians of the Collao and the highland people of South America. Most believe his chief abode is in heaven. But others whom they say are deceived by the Devil and believe in other gods as the heathens did. Following the … Read more

  Thunder followed Inti as the second deity in the Incan pantheon. He is considered master of the thunderbolt, hail, and rain. He traversed the celestial sky carrying a club and sling, and the noise made when he uses them was heard as the rumbling storm. People thought they saw his outline in the stars … Read more

  Tahuantinsuyu designated the four parts of the Inca world, i.e., the inhabited world. A.G.H. Source: Osborne, Harold. South American Mythology. “Library of the World’s Myths and Legends.” New York. Peter Bedrick Books. 1968, 1985. p. 74