Mapuche Myth

20170227 serpent artifactThe myth is about two enormous reptiles depicted on this carved stone star:

CaiCai is the ruler of the sea. Tran Tran is the ruler of the land. Like the Mapuche culture that had warring factions, these two were always angry with each other.

CaiCai believed the people scorned the sea’s riches so he smacked the water with his powerful tail and caused a flood.

TranTran saw the terrified people fleeing. He ordered the hills to rise up. This caused earthquakes and tidal waves that ravaged the land.

These are the two great forces in history – represented by the serpent and the lizard that continue their ongoing clash.

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