The Chonchon
In southern Chile, a cry of 'tue tue' in the night is said to come from a sorcerer's head, flying through the dark on its huge ears.
What was reported
In Mapuche and Chilean folklore, the chonchon is a form taken by a kalku, an evil sorcerer. The kalku's head leaves its body, its ears grow into wings, and it flies through the night, giving a sad cry: 'tue tue tue'.
It's said to come to the houses of the sick. Only other sorcerers can see it, but anyone can hear it, and some people still reply to the cry with words meant to send it away.
Explanations offered
The cry is often linked to an owl or another night bird. The chonchon is part of Chilean folklore and is also told in Argentina and Peru.
- When
- Told for generations
- Where
- Araucanía, Chile
- Witnesses
- Mapuche and Chilean folklore
- Status
- Legend
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.
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