Kalku
Encyclopedia
Kalku or Calcu, in Mapuche mythology
, is a sorcerer
or witch that works with black magic
and negative powers or forces. The essentially benevolent shamans are more often referred to as machi
, to avoid confusion with the malevolent kalku. Its origins are in Mapuche
tradition.
"spirits or wicked creatures". An example of a wekufe is the Nguruvilu
. The kalku also have as servants other beings such as the Anchimayen
, or the Chonchon
(which is the magical manifestation of the more powerful kalku).
A mapuche kalku is usually an inherited role, although it could be a machi that is interested in lucrative ends, or a "less powerful", frustrated machi who ignores the laws of the admapu (the rules of the Mapuches).
Mapuche mythology
The beliefs of the Mapuche and their mythology, stories about to the world and creatures born of the extensive and old religious beliefs, next to a series of common legend and myths that belong to the different groups that compose the Mapuche ethnic group .-Description:In the mythology and beliefs...
, is a sorcerer
Sorcerer
-Gaming:* Sorcerer , a 2002 tabletop role playing game made by Ron Edwards* Sorcerer , a 1984 interactive fiction computer game made by Infocom...
or witch that works with black magic
Black magic
Black magic is the type of magic that draws on assumed malevolent powers or is used with the intention to kill, steal, injure, cause misfortune or destruction, or for personal gain without regard to harmful consequences. As a term, "black magic" is normally used by those that do not approve of its...
and negative powers or forces. The essentially benevolent shamans are more often referred to as machi
Machi (Shaman)
A machi is a traditional healer and religious leader in the Mapuche culture of Chile and Argentina. Machis play significant roles in Mapuche religion. Women are more commonly machis than men.-Description:...
, to avoid confusion with the malevolent kalku. Its origins are in Mapuche
Mapuche
The Mapuche are a group of indigenous inhabitants of south-central Chile and southwestern Argentina. They constitute a wide-ranging ethnicity composed of various groups who shared a common social, religious and economic structure, as well as a common linguistic heritage. Their influence extended...
tradition.
Description
The kalku is a semi-mythical character that has the power of working with wekufeWekufe
The Wekufe or Huecuve is an important type of harmful spirit or demon in Mapuche mythology.-Legend:...
"spirits or wicked creatures". An example of a wekufe is the Nguruvilu
Nguruvilu
The Nguruvilu "fox snake" is a creature found in the Mapuche mythology of Chile.-Legend:...
. The kalku also have as servants other beings such as the Anchimayen
Anchimayen
The Anchimayen is a mythical creature in Mapuche mythology. Anchimayens are described as little creatures that take the form of small children, and can transform into fireball flying spheres that emit bright light...
, or the Chonchon
Chonchon
For other uses, see Chonchon The Chonchon is a mythical bird from Mapuche religion also present in Chilean and southern Argentinan folk myth.-Legend:...
(which is the magical manifestation of the more powerful kalku).
A mapuche kalku is usually an inherited role, although it could be a machi that is interested in lucrative ends, or a "less powerful", frustrated machi who ignores the laws of the admapu (the rules of the Mapuches).