Epunamun, whose name literally means "two feet," is a supernatural being found in Chilean and Mapuche folklore, often regarded as a war deity or warrior spirit by some folklorists. According to legend, Epunamun is a spirit of the otherworld, possessing a striking and unsettling form: a robust torso, long arms, malformed legs, and a body covered in thick hair. Despite his distorted legs, he is said to move by hopping simultaneously on both feet. His gaze is described as sparkling or intense, reflecting his spiritual potency.
Epunamun played a prominent role in traditional guillatún ceremonies, where he was invoked as a representation of the warrior spirit. When the Mapuche were preparing for battle - whether against rival tribes or colonial forces - the machi (shaman) would call upon Epunamun. Loncos and toquis (tribal leaders and war chiefs) would seek his counsel to divine the potential outcomes of military actions. In doing so, they hoped to receive not only foreknowledge but also blessings of strength, courage, and spiritual integrity in battle.
During the War of the Pacific (also known as the Salitre War), it is said that some Chilean soldiers carried tokens or whispered prayers to Epunamun, viewing him as a mystical advisor in the chaos of war. While he was revered as a giver of battle wisdom, Epunamun was also considered a trickster or mocking spirit. His guidance had to be followed with caution - not necessarily because it was trustworthy, but out of fear of offending him and incurring his wrath.
Rituals dedicated to Epunamun included dances featuring synchronized jumps performed with both feet, often to the rhythm of multiple cultrunes (Mapuche ceremonial drums). These dances symbolized his unique method of movement and channeled his energy through ritual action.
Spanish chroniclers, fascinated and disturbed by Epunamun’s attributes, recorded that he was perceived as a being of divine nature with sexual duality, being described as both male and female simultaneously. This aspect reinforced his otherworldly status and complex role in the spiritual life of the Mapuche, blurring the lines between earthly and divine, masculine and feminine, truth and deception.
Modern Comparisons and Interpretations[]
In more recent times, folklorists and cryptid enthusiasts have drawn comparisons between Epunamun and other mythological creatures, most notably Bigfoot (or Sasquatch) from North American folklore. Both are large, hairy, forest-dwelling beings with elusive behavior and ambiguous intent. However, the comparison only goes so far.
Where Bigfoot is often seen as a reclusive and possibly neutral figure, Epunamun is overtly involved in human affairs, especially war and conflict. While Bigfoot typically avoids human contact, Epunamun demands interaction - he is summoned, consulted.
Baba Yaga from Slavic mythology - a being that, like Epunamun, gives guidance that can either help or destroy. Or with the Wendigo of Algonquian legend, which, although far more malevolent, shares Epunamun’s grotesque, humanoid form and association with the supernatural wilderness.
The description of Epunamun as both male and female also places him among a rare class of mythological figures with gender duality, such as the Hindu Ardhanarishvara (a god who is half-Shiva, half-Parvati), or the two-spirit beings recognized in many Native American traditions. This duality reinforces his transcendence of human categories, suggesting that he embodies a more complete or primal force.