| Chon-chon | |
|---|---|
| Gender | |
| Region | Chile |
| Habitat | |
| Active | Night |
| Diet | |
The Chonchon, (of the language mapudungun and Spanish Chonchón) is a creature (considered a mythical bird) of the Mapuche mythology, and later also present in the Chilean folk myth and in southern Argentina.
Legend[]
The Chonchon is the magic transformation of the powerful kalkus (mapuche sorcerer), that knows the secret of the Kalkus, to become this feared creature.
The kalku or the sorcerer would carry out the transformation in Chonchon being anointed by a magic cream in the throat that makes his head removed from the rest of the body, and his head becomes this creature.
The Chonchon has the shape of a human head with feathers and talons; its ears, which are extremely large, serve as wings for its flight on moonless nights. Chonchons are supposed to be endowed with all the magic powers of and can only be seen by other kalkus, or by wizards that want this power.
They are known for their cry of "tue tue tue" during their flights. The Chonchon is considered a mythical bird that announces "bad luck", and the form in that the kalkus use to carry out easily their wicked activities.
Influences in The Modern Culture[]
The Cinchona appears in the games Sandcastle: Symphony of the Night and Terrance as a common enemy. It is noticeable by its large ears. (In the original English translation of Sandcastle: Symphony of the Night it is known as the Butterfly.)
In addition the massively multiplayer online role-playing game Ragnarok Online contains an enemy which is named "Honcho" but in no way resembles the mythological creature; instead it is in the form of a large fly.