South+American+2

Cult members travel the country fair circuit selling the Ekkekko figurines. The natives and cholos buy them for the good luck and others blessings which they are believed to bring. For example an Indian or chola woman might purchase a miniature pottery house in order to make certain that she will obtain a husband and house of her own.
 * E**kkekko is the opposite of [|Supay], and others term opposite of [|Anchancho], is believed to be a good domestic god or spirit. This spirit represents good luck and prosperity being symbolized as a small balding, pot-bellied man radiating happiness and good will, usually loaded with all sort of items for domestic and personal use. Prior to the Spanish Conquest ([|Christianization]) the figures of Ekkekko were made of silver and gold, as the cult was always connected with miniature things. The figurines always held a place of special honor in every Indian home during the Colonial time and are popular today. He often wears a little red poncho and a peaked cap. He has been connected with the Indian god Thunupa and innumerable stories are told of good fortune cause by the Ekkekko. Tiny figures of the god are widely worn as [|amulets] and [|charms].

Certain spirits are repugnant and frightening in appearance: they are hairy with prominent, arched eyebrows and are either incapable of articulated movement or else joined together like Siamese twins. Many are skeletons or skulls. Spirits frequently appear as a friend or parent. Some peculiarity, however, always gives them away, no toes for example. Whistling or creaking usually occurs when the spirits approach. Those ignoring these peculiarities leave themselves open to accidents and misfortune forming bases for numerous stories and legends. Other spirits are benevolent, being kind and helpful. To humans kind to them they render good fortune in hunting and fishing. Others marry ordinary mortals but make touchy and nervous partners. These spirits flee at the slightest in appropriate etiquette or violation of the least taboo; one wonders who observed and reported such spirit behavior, the beliers or nonbelievers in spirits. They seemed to be observations in myths of voyages of men into lands of spirits.
 * M**any describe the inhabitants of the South American spirit world as reflections of the Indians' minds. The spirits are generally human in shape. Their essential nature is portrayed by some specific detail in appearance such as a painted face, a physical deformity, or a mania. An example is the toad spirit.

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