Cougar Guardian of Mapuche
In Mapuche tradition from Chile and Argentina, the cougar guardian (pangui in Mapudungun) is a powerful spirit-being associated with the underworld and the protection of sacred mountains and underground passages. The Mapuche people, who have inhabited the southern Andes for millennia, regard the puma as one of their most significant spiritual animals. The puma is called futamaye meaning great uncle in Mapudungun, reflecting the close relationship between the Mapuche people and this powerful feline. Mapuche warriors traditionally incorporated particles of puma bone into their bodies during init