THE SONS OF THE MOON: THE AMAHUACA VERSION OF A WIDESPREAD AMAZONIAN MYTH

Resumen

In a previous publication, I presented the Kuikuru version of an important myth from the Upper Xingú which I called “To the Village of the Jaguars.” A version of this myth is widely distributed among Amazonian groups, including the Amahuaca, a Panoan-speaking group of eastern Peru and western Brazil. The Amahuaca version is presented here as I recorded it among them in 1960 and 1961. After presenting the text of the myth, I discuss specific similarities and differences between the Amahuaca and Kuikuru versions of it.Key words: Amazonian myth, Amahuaca Indians, Kuikuru Indians.