Xálpen - Xalpen
The Selk'nam people had a ritual to aid boys (klóketen) in becoming men known as hain, originally a ceremony for women according to their mythology. This ritual saw them enter a house filled with deadly spirits in costume which would attack them, as well as tell them several creation myths, notably the origin of the Sun and Moon. However, one of the spirits that may appear is a horrifying earth-born spirit named Xalpen. She is ravenous, gluttonous, lustful, the house shakes with trembling screams and the flames spew from the top wildly. She demands meat sacrifice, red clay, and may even tear open men with her bare hands or demand sexual acts. She rules the underworld with her consort, Shoort, and she is unpredictable and powerful. At the end of the hain, after she has slaughtered all, she gives birth to a baby named K'ternen which symbolizes new life.
Pantheon: Selk'nam
Domain or Function: Terrible depraved spirit of the earth and underworld, represents death and new life.
Alternate Names: Halpen
Character Traits: Cannibalistic, violent, terrifying, and powerful. She demands anything around her and will kill without hesitation.
Visual Traits: In some sources she is said to be hairy with long fingernails, but the most common trait is that she is half flesh and half stone.
Symbolism: Fire, stone, the color red.
Sources: 1 2 3
