Cuy, is part of the culture, history, mythology, folklore and every day life, of Peruvians from time immemorial. This small rodent is identified with the life and customs of the local communities, cuyes are also used in medicine and even in magical-religious rituals. Currently the guinea pig has multiple purposes (pets, experimental animals), although in Peru it is a traditional food.
… PERU: On the Cuy – Guinea pig – in history, mythology, folklore & everyday life
Along roadsides throughout Argentina we notice mystical shrines with red flags flying around them. Discover the folk saint Gauchito Gil. … ARGENTINA: El Gauchito Gil
Throughout Argentina, we notice roadside shrines amid of water bottles and a statuette of a lactating mother. Discover the folk saint Difunta Correa or Decreased Correa. … ARGENTINA: La Difunta Correa
Discover cacao in Popol Vuh and the iconographic relationship between cacao and maize reflecting their importance within Maya cultures
Discover historical and mythical origins of Cacao in Mesoamerica.
… MEXICO: TREELORE – On the historical and mythical origins of cacao in Mesoamerica
Discover cacao in Chichen Itza, the most important archaeological vestige of the Maya-Toltec civilization in Yucatan, Mexico.
Visiting South America, I was often invited to share a mate, by friendly and curious people. Having a mate or terere means sharing stories and being part of a deeply cultural ritual.
Discover legends, myth, history and folklore of the potato plant in Bolivia and its use in traditional Andean culture.
Rapa Nui offers a world of inquiry that have remained unanswered for centuries. Questions abound surrounding the origins of the people and their culture, the Moai statues, the Tangata manu – Birdman cult and the history of the Islands racial extermination, ecological and natural disasters. Discover Myths and Legends of the Moai on Rapa Nui-The Easter Island.
… CHILE: Myths and Legends of the Moai on Rapa Nui-The Easter Island
Explore Makemake and the incredible competition that took place on Rapa Nui to choose the Tangata Manu or Easter Island birdman whose clan would rule the island during one year. Discover Myths and Legends of the birdman cult on the Easter Island – Rapa Nui
… CHILE: Myths and folklore of the birdman cult on the Easter Island – Rapa Nui
Myths and legends from Chiloé possess a multitude of creatures and a distinct and interesting history of male witches, Francisco Goya’s painting of witches did much to shape perceptions of sorcery in Spanish- speaking societies in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Part of the attraction of Chiloé is the wealth of mystery that permeate the misty, foggy reaches of forest and remote beaches, where creatures and male witches dwell.
Violeta Parra was a folklorist and an ethnomusicologist, a poet, a musician, a painter, a sculptor and a tapestry maker. Above all, however, her work captured Chile’s history, its culture, and its pain.
Discover the Aymara legend, history and folklore of the quinoa in Peru and its use in traditional culture.
This legend came to us, sitting in a restaurant in Foz do Iguacu, near the Iguazu falls, sharing my meal with a big tourist group from Brazil, luckily some spoke Spanish, so did Leticia, the Lady sitting near me. Discover the creation of the Iguazu falls.
… Paraguay | Brazil | Argentina: On the creation of the IGUAZU Falls
Kuka, is Quechua and means unique, excellent and sacred. Discover the legend and folklore of the coca leaf in Peru and Bolivia and its use in traditional Andean culture.
The ‘”hoja sagrada” or “sacred leaf” has enormous significance to Aymara and Quechua people. Discover the legend of COCA, God Intis gift to Peru and Bolivia and its use in traditional Andean culture.
… PERU | BOLIVIA: The Legend of COCA, God Intis gift to Peru and Bolivia
The story of how Yerba Mate was first discovered and then spread through South America is a fascinating tale that includes legends, politics, religion, intrigue, slavery, war and innovation.
Are magical creatures, fairies, mermaids, ghosts, giants and goddesses and gods all gone, with the mythical times? For some this magical creatures are gone, for others they are still real, giving gifts to the kindly, and plaguing the surly.
