DIRECTORY 341
human woman and the West Wind.
Nanabozho was associated with
rabbits and was also known as
“The Great Hare.” His main
companion was the wolf spirit
Moqwaio, sometimes portrayed as
his brother. The Great Spirit sent
Nanabozho to teach the Ojibwa the
names of the plants and animals,
and show them how to fish and
use hieroglyphics. He also saved
humanity after a great flood by
protecting them from water spirits.
See also: Prometheus helps
mankind 36–39 ■ The adventures
of Loki and Thor in Jötunheim 146–
47 ■ The epic of Gilgamesh 190–97EL SILBÓN
Venezuelan/Colombian,
19th century CEEl Silbón (“The Whistler”) was a
spirit in the form of a thin man
20 ft (6 m) tall. While human, he
murdered his father to avenge his
mother’s murder. The spirits of his
mother and grandfather punished
him by whipping him, rubbing
lemons and chilies into his eyes,
and setting dogs on him. He was
then cursed to wander the world
as a spirit for eternity, carrying
his father’s bones in a sack. As he
walked, he whistled a distinctive
tune and preyed on unwary people,
womanizers, and drunks.
See also: Prometheus helps
mankind 36–39 ■ Orestes avenges
Agamemnon 64–65 ■ The fate of
Oedipus 86–87THE BASILISCO CHILOTE
Chilean, 16th century CEThe Basilisco Chilote (“the Chilota
Basilisk”) is a creature in the
mythology of the Chilotes, who livein the Chiloé archipelago in the
south of Chile. With the body of a
serpent and the head of a rooster,
this terrifying creature was said to
be hatched from a chicken egg. If
the egg was not burned before the
monster hatched, the Basilisco
would dig a lair beneath a nearby
house. Then it would slowly
dehydrate its occupants, feeding
remotely on their saliva and
moisture. After hatching, it was
said that the house above the
Basilisco’s lair must be burned
in order to kill the beast.
See also: The quest of Odysseus
66–71 ■ The labors of Herakles
72–75 ■ Theseus and the Minotaur
76–77SACI THE PRANKSTER
Brazilian, 18th century CESaci appeared as a one-legged
youth who smoked a pipe and wore
an enchanted red cap that gave
him the power to appear and
disappear at will. He was notorious
for his pranks (such as making
needles blunt, hiding things, or
setting animals loose), but granted
wishes to anyone who could steal
his cap. His myth was based on
a figure from indigenous Guarani
mythology adapted by African
slaves who were brought to Brazil.
See also: Hermes’s first day
54–55 ■ The adventures of Loki
and Thor in Jötunheim 146–47 ■
The death of Baldur 148–49GAUCHO GIL
Argentinian, 19th century CEAntonio Gil was a legendary
Argentinian gaucho (cowboy) and
outlaw said to have been active
during the late 19th century. HeEars” because of the living human
faces grafted on to his earlobes.
Red Horn was a great healer and
worked to protect humans from the
race of giants that plagued them.
Along with his brothers, he was
challenged to a contest by these
giants and, although they won
many games, Red Horn and his
brothers were killed after losing a
wrestling match.
See also: The adventures of Loki
and Thor in Jötunheim 146–47 ■
Spider Woman 238–39 ■ The first
canoe 256–57IKTOMI THE TRICKSTER
Sioux of North America, date
unknownThe son of the creator-god Inyan,
Iktomi (“spider”) was originally
called Ksa (“wisdom”). He was
turned into a spider and given his
new name for his mischievous
ways. Though primarily a spider,
Iktomi was a shapeshifter who
could take any form, including that
of a human, and communicate with
animals as well as inanimate
objects, such as trees and rocks.
As he was physically weak, Iktomi
used tricks to survive. While
sometimes manipulative, Iktomi
was seen by the Lakota Sioux as
a patron of ingenuity.
See also: Prometheus helps
mankind 36–39 ■ Arachne and
Minerva 115 ■ Spider Woman 238–39NANABOZHO THE
TRICKSTER
Ojibwa of North America, date
unknownAlthough Nanabozho was a
trickster, his exploits were never
malicious. He was the son of aUS_336-343_Directory.indd 341 06/12/17 3:01 pm