Xaleshen, the Sun
Tehuelche · deity · Tehuelche traditional religion; continuing · Recorded classification
Xaleshen, the Sun, is among the celestial beings made by Kóoch to relieve the primordial darkness. Married to Keengenkon, the Moon, he fathers daughters; one becomes the wife of Elal and ancestress of the Tehuelches, the other (in some versions) the ancestress of the Selk'nam. When Elal comes as suitor the Sun imposes deadly trials, which the hero passes; afterward, in punishment for the parents' refusal, Elal is said to have cast Sun and Moon up into the sky, where they now keep their stations. The Sun's coupling and uncoupling with the Moon images the rhythmic succession of day and night.
Domains
- sun and solar light
- day and light
Powers
- to give light to the day as the Sun set in the sky
Epithets
- XaleshenSiffredi, Alejandra. "Algunos personajes de la mitología tehuelche meridional." RUNA: Archivo para las Ciencias del Hombre 11 (1968-69): 123-131. (secondary)
Relations
- spouse: Keengenkon, the MoonThe Sun and the Moon are wedded; their amorous coupling and uncoupling is read in the myth as the alternation of darkness and light.Siffredi, Alejandra. "Algunos personajes de la mitología tehuelche meridional." RUNA: Archivo para las Ciencias del Hombre 11 (1968-69): 123-131. (secondary)
Sources
- Xaleshen is the Sun of southern Tehuelche myth, made by Kóoch, husband of the Moon Keengenkon and father of the daughters from whom the Tehuelches descend, who sets Elal his bridal trials.: Siffredi, Alejandra. "Algunos personajes de la mitología tehuelche meridional." RUNA: Archivo para las Ciencias del Hombre 11 (1968-69): 123-131. (secondary); Bórmida, Marcelo & Alejandra Siffredi. "Mitología de los tehuelches meridionales." RUNA: Archivo para las Ciencias del Hombre 12 (1969-70): 199-245. (secondary)