anchanchu

A terrible demon in the folklore of the modern Aymara people of Bolivia and Peru. The anchanchu deceives the unwary with his smiles and friendly appearance, then afflicts them with deadly diseases. It is also believed that the demon sucks the blood of his victims during their sleep and that his presence is accompanied by whirlwinds. The Aymara tend to avoid rivers and isolated places where an anchanchu is supposed to reside.

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