Draft:Urkawari
Urkawari (also as: Urcaguari or Urcaguary) is the deity of treasures, metals, jewels and subterranean objects of great value in Inca mythology.[1] It is defined as a deity of chthonic character; since it resides in the interior of the mountains, that is to say, in places that comprise the depths of the Uku Pacha.
History
[edit]The history of Urkawari is a mystery, since not many references are known about this divinity.
Despite this, there are Andean legends of mythical creatures that share similar characteristics to Urkawari. It should be noted that many legends change and adapt over generations, which leaves the possibility that these Andean legends could be modifications and/or readaptations of this deity.
Within the broad Andean imaginary, we have the following mythological creatures:
Uscaiguai
[edit]The Augustinians, in the Relación de idolatrías de Huamachuco, make reference to the existence of a mythical being called Uscaiguai. This creature mixes characteristics of snake, feline and deer. In this relation, the following is stated:[2][3]
These Indians say that in ancient times in the time of Chacochima, who was captain of the Inga who had all the land, being in Guamachuco with great force of people, came the devil made snake-like snake, which was according to those who saw it as fat as a thigh and had hair and head like a deer, 'and was so long that from the head could not see the tail being on flat land. This snake or serpent was called Uscaiguai, and the Indians dipped it in order to be rich, because it had some golden petaquillas in its tail, and after they had dipped it and worshipped it, they made great rejoicings, saying, "we have dipped our Lord and God, and from now on we will be rich." Another time he appeared to them saying that he wanted to go up to heaven, which all those nations that were there saw, he began to go up circling in the air and so he went until they lost sight of him: I have asked this to many to see if they agreed, and they all say the same; and in memory of this they made great feasts and games, which, as they are idolatry, are forbidden and have removed the fathers with great force and that they do not paint snakes or snakes..
Carcas enchanted deer
[edit]It is said that in Carcas, a small town in the district of Chiquián located in the province of Bolognesi, there is a hill known as Huayna. In its interior lies a majestic treasure that the Incas hid from the greed of the Spaniards. The Sun God (possibly Wiracocha or Inti) decreed that a corpulent deer, with beautiful skin and shining horns, should have the eternal mission of guarding it.
Since then, the beautiful animal has been roaming the area, restricting anyone from discovering the entrance to the cavern. But the demon was once on the verge of finding it. And so, the brave deer, waged a fierce battle against him. In the harsh winter seasons, when the earth is immersed in a melancholy mist, and the dew falls sadly from the leaves, the battle becomes fiercer. During the cold, dreary nights, the hill shudders with the din of the bloody fight, a din that silences the roar of the torrential waters of the three streams that flow through the place. Despite the ferocity of the demon, the formidable guardian of shiny skin and raised antlers manages to defeat him; and the defeated enemy increases the flow of one of the streams.
It is also mentioned that once, two hunters had followed the tracks of a deer. After a tiring walk, they had arrived at the mouth of a cave, where the tracks led to its interior. They entered the cave with a torch and by its light they could see human skeletons, pots and other pottery objects. Upon seeing such a scene, they were frightened and left the enigmatic cave. While they were trying to return, one of them slipped and when he got up, resting his hands on the rain-soaked ground, he discovered a subway gallery. As they peered into it, they noticed that it was full of gold jewelry and precious stones. Stunned by such a discovery, they wanted to carry all the riches and, while they were looking through the field, they saw a deer of singular gallantry; but it did not even occur to them to hunt it. They wandered around in search of a donkey to carry the fortune to their homes, but they had the misfortune of not being able to find one. So they went to the place where they had found the gallery, with the intention of filling their saddlebags with the jewels, but they could not find it. In the desperate search, both were lost and no one knew their whereabouts.
The deer that had been spotted earlier was none other than the suspicious guardian of the gigantic wealth (the enchanted deer of Carcas). As punishment, the mythical deer turned the stray hunters into two streams that began to run alongside the one that already existed, which was the result of the transformation of the demons that were defeated by the impetuous animal in previous encounters.[4]
Warakuy
[edit]The Warakuy (also as: Huarakuy or Huaracuy) is a mythological being very recurrent in the oral literature of Huánuco. This creature has a chthonic character and usually dwells in the depths of lagoons and other subway places. Likewise, the Warakuy is considered the protector of the riches, minerals and wisdoms that exist in the district of Huántar.
Regarding its appearance, sources may vary. In one of them, the Warakuy is mentioned as a colossal snake with iridescent feathers and multicolored bristles. In another source, the Warakuy is described as a winged serpent with a fierce face, long and huge tail, whose head is an extraordinary mixture of puma and calf.
Likewise, this creature has the ability to transform itself into various elements. Generally, it manifests itself as: atmospheric phenomena, bizarre animals, people, etc.[5]
Unlike the two creatures seen above, the Warakuy is the only one that has some evil connotations, as there are legends that refer to it as a demon. As an example of this, we have the legend of "Maria Rupay".[6] Likewise, it is believed that its mere presence heralds the prelude to huaycos and/or landslides, torrential rains, etc.[5]
Representation
[edit]Urkawari is a deity described as a colossal snake with the head of a taruca. Its slithery body is said to help it slither beneath the earth. In addition, its long tail is entwined with numerous chains of gold, precious stones and other jewels..[1]
Function
[edit]Urkawari was the Inca deity patron of treasures and as such, protects these coveted objects from anyone who would steal them. These treasures, as in other Andean legends, are hidden underground and/or inside large mountains.
See Also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Graves, Robert. "NEW LAROUSSE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MYTHOLOGY". Retrieved 17 July 2023.
- ^ "Colección de datos inéditos del Archivo de Indias" (PDF). Retrieved 17 August 2023.
- ^ Marie Hocquenghem, Anne. "Espacio-tiempo y poder en los Andes" (PDF). Retrieved 17 July 2023.
- ^ "El venado encantado de Carcas". Retrieved 17 July 2023.
- ^ a b "La presencia del zorro y el amaru en la narrativa oral en el distrito de Huántar - Huari (2018)" (PDF). Retrieved 17 August 2023.
- ^ "Turismo y Cultura (Áncash)" (PDF). Retrieved 17 July 2023.