Warlock of Chiloé
The Warlock of Chiloé ("Brujo de Chiloé" or "Brujo chilote" in the Spanish language) are semi-mythical characters in Chilote mythology and folklore who are equivalent to "male witches", and considered very powerful warlocks and sorcerers. The witchcraft of the Chiloé Archipelago has been practiced for ages, still a widespread belief among the population of the Chiloé, in Chile.
When the Spanish arrived in this land of huilliches (Mapudungun means "southern people"), the kalkus and Machis had already been long established. In many cases when a Machi cured some incurable disease, their fame spread to far distant places. Also when a kalku from malevolent clans cast spells so intense that it drove more than one enemy mad no other doctor could help apart from members of a friendly tribe.
In the eighteenth century, José de Moraleda wished to prove his proficiency to these huilliches and establish that he was the most formidable sorcerer in the world. The locals didn't believe him and called upon the Machi Chilpilla, who lived in Quetalco, to confront this intruder to their lands. Moraleda was defeated and in recognition of this offered the Machi an enormous book of ancient witchcraft around the world. Further, Moraleda wrote that the natives of Chiloé were not as deplorable as he had believed and, in fact, were even better than some Chileans. This being the origin story of the "Warlock of Chiloé." A Brujo de Chiloé.
Modern day folklore throughout the archipelago of Chiloé says that there are Machis from who cure diseases which many doctors have considered untreatable, along with incurable misfortune from certain curses inflicted by "Warlock of Chiloé" of some black sect on persons who were defenseless from such spells.
In the folklore of chiloé, also say that the evil "Warlock of Chiloé" sail in "the Caleuche" (a mythical and scary ghost ship).
References
- Martinez Vilches, Oscar, Chiloé Misterioso (in Spanish). Pub. Ediciones de la Voz de Chiloe (circa 1998)
- Gonzalo Rojas Flores, Reyes sobre la tierra: brujería y chamanismo en una cultura insular: Chiloé entre los siglos XVIII y XX, Santiago, 2002 (complete text about “Proceso a los brujos” or "Recta Provincia")