Kalku, from Chile: what it is and what people believe

The kalku is a figure in Mapuche mythology described as a sorcerer or witch. This person uses black magic and serves wicked creatures known as wekufe. The role is often inherited within families.

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Kalku is a Mapuche sorcerer using black magic
Word derives from the Puquina language
Serves wekufe spirits like the Nguruvilu
Role is usually inherited
Antagonist in the film Nahuel and the Magic Book

What it is

The kalku is a semi-mythical character in Mapuche mythology. This figure is defined as a sorcerer or witch who operates through black magic. Unlike the benevolent shamans called machi, the kalku is viewed as malevolent. This distinction helps avoid confusion between the two roles. The kalku is believed to possess negative powers that harm others or disrupt community balance.

Where it comes from

The concept originates in Mapuche tradition. The word itself comes from the Puquina language. Its adoption by the Mapuche people reflects parallels between Mapuche and Central Andean cosmology. These connections date back to the Tiwanaku Empire era. During that time, Puquina was an important language in the region.

Tools and materials

The kalku works with wekufe, which are spirits or wicked creatures. One example of such a spirit is the Nguruvilu. Other beings serve the kalku, including the Anchimayen. More powerful kalku may manifest as the Chonchon. These entities act as servants or extensions of the sorcerer's will.

Kalku, drawn and placed

Emblem With the feather shape. Drawn from this page, not a photograph.

Living
Revived
Fading
Historical
Legendary
Performed

Standing: Legendary Known from myth, story and legend rather than from recorded practice. This says whether people still do it, not whether it works.

A feather: used in cleansing and blessing in some traditions, worn as a sign of office, and carried as a charm.

Lineage: Mapuche tradition

Where it sits The tradition it belongs to, and when it is done.

What it is for

The kalku is associated with harmful intentions. This role is typically inherited rather than chosen. Occasionally, a machi might adopt this path for profit. A frustrated or less powerful machi might also become a kalku by ignoring the admapu. The admapu refers to the traditional rules and laws of the Mapuche people.

Who does it

Practitioners are usually born into the role. It is an inherited position within the community. In some cases, a machi may turn to this path due to personal failure or greed. Such individuals reject the established laws of their society. The role is distinct from the respected shamanic tradition of the machi.

Peoples and places

The kalku is central to Mapuche mythology. The culture identifies this figure as a source of negative power. The term appears in Chilean and Brazilian contexts, particularly in modern media. The Mapuche people maintain the traditional view of the kalku as a dangerous sorcerer.

At a glance: who, where and when

Peoples

Mapuche

What people believe

Mapuche belief distinguishes sharply between good and evil spiritual practitioners. The kalku serves wicked creatures and uses forbidden knowledge. This stands in contrast to the healing and protective work of the machi. The kalku represents a violation of social and spiritual order.

Compare and confuse

The kalku is often confused with the machi. The machi is a benevolent shaman who heals and guides. The kalku is a malevolent sorcerer. Another related figure is the Warlock of Chiloé. Both represent different regional interpretations of dark magic in South America.

Today

The kalku appears in popular culture. It is the main antagonist in the animated film Nahuel and the Magic Book. This 2020 Chilean-Brazilian production features the character prominently. The film was nominated at the Annecy festival.

Questions people ask about Kalku

What is a kalku?

A kalku is a sorcerer or witch in Mapuche mythology. This figure uses black magic and negative powers. They are considered malevolent, unlike the benevolent machi shamans.

Where does the name come from?

The word comes from the Puquina language. It entered Mapuche usage during the Tiwanaku Empire period. This reflects shared cosmological ideas between the Mapuche and Central Andean cultures.

How does one become a kalku?

The role is typically inherited. Sometimes a frustrated machi becomes a kalku. This happens when they ignore the admapu, the traditional laws of the Mapuche people, often for profit.

Who do kalku serve?

They work with wekufe, which are wicked spirits. Examples include the Nguruvilu. Powerful kalku may also manifest as the Chonchon. These beings assist in their magical practices.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Kalku", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryJaadu rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes. Names and customs differ from one community to the next, and some knowledge is closed to outsiders and left out here. This page describes belief and practice. It does not say that any of it works, it is not a how-to, and it is not medical advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-07.

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

Werewolf: Mont Sudbury, Public domain, source

Trauco: Seo2 (Cristian), CC BY 2.0, source

Vampire: Edvard Munch, Public domain, source

Curse: Katsushika Hokusai, Public domain, source

Chupacabra: Dick Langer, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Pachamama: Penarc, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

Gauchito Gil: Sergio Serrano, CC BY-SA 2.0, source

Lilith: Photographs by Ardon Bar Hama, author of original document is unknown., Public domain, source

Kalku