Selk'nam mythology

Selk'nam mythology is the body of myths of the Selk'nam and Haush people of Tierra del Fuego.

Sources

Selk'nam mythology is known today primarily from the Austrian ethnologist Martin Gusinde and the Franco-American ethnologist Anne Chapman's works.

Cosmology

In the Selk'nam and Haush mythology, the cosmos is divided in four sho'on or infinite skies, which represent the four cardinal directions:[1]

  • Kamuk: Northern sky.
  • Kéikruk: Southern sky.
  • Wintek: Eastern sky. It is considered the most important of the four sho'on, being the residence of Temáukel and source of all that exists.[2][3][4]
  • Kenénik: Western sky.

Each shó'on is associated to one of the seasons. Kamuk symbolizes the spring and summer, Kéikruk symbolizes the winter, Kenénik symbolizes the autumn and, finally, Wintek symbolizes all the seasons and, possibly, even the time.[5]

Gods and spirits
Statue of Kosmenk, one of the Soorts, in Tolhuin, Tierra del Fuego

The religion of the Selk'nam people tends to be described as polytheistic, mainly because of the existence of various characters which are usually considered deities. However, it is necessary to clarify that according to the beliefs of the Selk'nam people, only Temáukel is recognized as a god, while other characters are identified rather as mythological ancestors than gods. On the other hand, it also necessary to indicate that the characteristics attributed to these mythological ancestors are typical of those beings whom we might call gods. Because of this, it is possible to consider that the religion of the Selk'nam people was, rather, henotheistic. Thus, we have a superior being, similar to the God of the Abrahamic religions, which corresponds to Temáukel; mythological gods or ancestors called howenh, of which the first to inhabit the Earth was Kenos, a creator and terraforming god, sent by Temáukel;[2] and, finally, Xalpen and her subordinates, soorts, who were inhabitants of the underworld, which were represented by men in the Hain ceremony.

Temáukel

Temáukel is the supreme god of the Selk'nam and Haush pantheon[2][3] and, in theory, of all Selk'nam deities, is the only one that is considered a god itself, since the other deities are identified, rather as mythological ancestors. He is a primordial god, therefore, has always existed.[6] He dwells in the celestial dome, in the eastern sky or Wintek and is the creator of it and the primitive Earth.

Howenh

Howenh were not recognized as gods by the Selk'nam people, but rather as mythological ancestors, since the only divinity as such is Temáukel. They constitute the great forces of nature and terraforming elements, but before becoming such elements, they existed as humans. Among the most important are Kenos, the first howenh; Kwányip and Čénuke; Kojh, howenh of the sea; Kren, howenh of the sun; Kre, howenh of the moon; Josh, howenh of the snow; and Shenrr, howenh of the wind.

Kenos

Kenos was the first howenh to inhabit the Earth. He is the creator, organizer and civilizing god in Selk'nam mythology, and the most important deity after Temáukel. He was sent by him from the Celestial dome to the early Earth, with the mission to organize it and create the mythological ancestors who would shape the Earth.[2][7]

Xalpen and her Soorts

Xalpen is the goddess of the underworld. She has seven companions called Soorts: Sate, Yoisik, Wakus, Keyaisl, Talen, Pawus and Sanu. Besides them, there are many subordinate Soorts who are not assigned a specific name.[2]

See also
Mythology
Mythologies
Types
Lists
Related concepts
See also

References
  1. pueblosoriginarios.com. Cosmología Selk'nam
  2. Gusinde, M. Los indios de Tierra del Fuego. Tomo primero volumen II. Los Selk'nam
  3. Chapman, A. Culturas tradicionales. Patagonia. Fin de un mundo. Los selknam de Tierra del Fuego
  4. Hidalgo, J. y col. Culturas de Chile. Etnografía. Sociedades Indígenas Contemporáneas y su Ideología.
  5. Chapman, A. Drama and Power in a Hunting Society: The Selk'nam of Tierra Del Fuego. Cambridge Studies in Social Anthropology, ISSN 0068-6794. Cambridge University Press 1982.
  6. Pueblos originarios, Cosmología Selknam (in Spanish).
  7. Coloane, F. Velero anclado: crónicas. LOM Ediciones, 1995. ISBN 9567369275, 9789567369270.
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