SOLITARY: Lakúma is a dread water/sea spirit recorded with no individuated kin (the name also designates a class of such water-beings). Sex is left unknown: the sources describe a monstrous, shape-uncertain being (likened to a whale, squid or giant worm) rather than a gendered person. Classed as a deity (spirit-being) with no attested parent. Documented by Gusinde (1937) and in Wilbert's Folk Literature of the Yamana Indians (1977).
Domains
sea and water
storms and drowning
taboo enforcement
Powers
capsizes canoes and drowns and devours their occupants
raises great waves, whirlpools and storms
attacks and devours those who break taboo
is placated by sweet song and flattering words
Sources
Gusinde, Martin. Die Feuerland-Indianer, Band II: Die Yamana, 1937 (Eng. trans. The Yamana, HRAF 1961).
Wilbert, Johannes (ed.). Folk Literature of the Yamana Indians (Gusinde's collection), 1977.
A Book of Creatures, 'Lakúma' (abookofcreatures.com), and Featured Creatures, 'Lakuma' (mythicalcreaturescatalogue.com), both citing Gusinde's Yamana material.