The Invunche are legendary creatures from the folklore of Chile in South America. They guard and protect the entrances to witches caves.
Legend says that an Invunche is a child who was kidnapped by a witch and hideously transformed into a deformed hairy monster.
To make an Invunche the witch would brake one of the child's legs and twist it over his back, apply a cream all over his body which would cause a thick hair to grow, and split his tongue to give it a snake-like appearance.
They would first feed their new Invunche on milk from a black cat and eventually on the flesh from an adult human which is stolen from fresh graves.
The Invunche can only communicate by howling and grunting, and walks awkwardly on its hands and one good leg.
To gain access to the witches cave the beast must either be killed or kissed on its ass.
Which method would you choose?
That's a gruesome legend! Wonder what superstition or sighting made them come up with such a fanciful tale?
ReplyDeleteMaybe it was just to scare children into behaving?
DeleteI don't know why many of these folk tales involve children being disfigured or mutilated in some way. Why can't they do all those horrible things to grownups? I can't imagine killing an Invunche or yuck, the other option.
ReplyDeleteIktsuarpok and Irusu: Exotic Words with no English Equivalent
I imagine it's because many of these stories were originally intended to warn children about the dangers in the world.
DeleteMaybe this one could be "Don't run off/go by yourself or the witch will get you and turn you into an invunche"?
I think I'd have to go with the first, just to put it out of its misery. It's a really harsh folk talk this one!
ReplyDeleteSophie
Sophie's Thoughts & Fumbles - Dragon Diaries
The poor invunche :(
DeleteThough in many stories I believe the invunche actually gets to learn magic from the witch from being around it so much, and sometimes acts as an advisor too!
poor, poor creature. i'm sad for it. i would hope i could put it out of its misery.
ReplyDeleteGod! The witches used quite a torturous process to make an Invunche.
ReplyDeleteMy goodness, that's really cruel...
ReplyDelete@JazzFeathers
The Old Shelter - 1940s Film Noir