The Maripill is a fearsome wekufe spirit from Chilean Mapuche folklore, known for its violent and supernatural nature. It is said to dwell near or within bodies of water, where it poses a significant threat to both animals and humans.
Description[]
The Maripill is most commonly described as a monstrous, fox-like creature with a spiked back, resembling the teeth of a saw or chainsaw. It is incredibly fast, able to rush beneath cattle and tear them open from below, leaving no time to react. This violent tactic is also said to affect humans and even inanimate objects, which are sometimes found cleanly split in two without any visible cause—attributed to the Maripill's sudden and unseen attack.
In alternative versions of the legend, the Maripill has a more dragon-like appearance. In this form, it is tall and grotesque, similar in stature to a deformed horse, with a long neck, a lizard-like head, and a long, fang-filled mouth. Its arms are elongated and end in sharp claws, which it uses to grab children who wander too close to the water’s edge.
The Maripill is highly aggressive and attacks anything that crosses its territory, especially livestock and careless humans. It is particularly feared in rural communities that rely on cattle, as its attacks often result in livestock being found mutilated or inexplicably dead.
Weakness[]
According to tradition, the only known method to ward off or frighten the Maripill is by burning mapucho—a native tobacco plant used in Mapuche rituals. The smoke is believed to repel the spirit and protect nearby people or animals.
The Ovalle monster:[]
Maripill?
According to Chilean historian Alonso de Ovalle, during a historical volcanic eruption, witnesses described the appearance of a “fierce beast full of convoluted antlers on its head, giving horrifying groans and dreadful sounds.” Ovalle’s interpretation of the creature depicted it as a horned being, lacking arms, with bird-like (possibly dinosaur-like) hind legs, a prehensile tail, and a body covered in what appeared to be feathers or scales.
The jagged, saw-like horns, combined with its apparent habitat—near a lake or volcano—have led some to speculate that this creature might be a variation of the Maripill If this is the case, Ovalle’s account may represent a more reptilian or harpy-like version of the Maripill, influenced by Spanish colonial imagery, as opposed to the more foxlike or dragon-like forms common in indigenous oral traditions.
References:[]
- Latcham, R., (1924). Op. Cit. pp. 352.
- de Ovalle, A. Op. Cit. pp. 303
- https://www.superbugtom.com/maripill
- Mitos de Chile: Enciclopedia de seres, apariciones y encantos