Mythology/Superstition

Manuel is writing a book about Chilote mythology, including creatures like the Millalobo, a half man, half seal who abducts swimmers at high tide; brujos, witches and sorcerers who have the power to kill with their minds; and El Trauco, a dwarf who chases and impregnates virgins. Some islanders blame El Trauco for Azucena Corrales’ pregnancy, demonstrating that even in the year 2009, some people in this isolated part of the world still believe in these myths. Their lives are full of superstition to help them make sense of a chaotic world. It isn’t too different from the way Maya’s grandmother uses astrology for guidance about people she encounters and decisions she has to make. Daniel Goodrich believes mythology is deeply psychological, saying “gods represent different aspects of the psyche, and myths are generally stories about creation and nature or about fundamental human dramas...