Coquena

The supernatural protector of the vicuñas in the Quechua folklore of the Puna de Atacama. Coquena is a little man, dressed in white, who drives large herds of vicuña at night. He punishes those who wantonly kill these animals.

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A vicuña is a ruminant mammal belonging to the camel family and closely related to the llama. It is native to the Andes.

References

Sources

  • Leach, Maria, ed. (1949-1950). Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology, and Legend. 2 vols. New York: Funk and Wagnalls, p. 1:250.
  • Leach, Maria, ed. (1984). Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology, and Legend. New York: HarperCollins.
  • Zerries, Otto. (1968). "Primitive South America and the West Indies." In James, 1968, p. 260.