Maleku

The Maleku, whom the Spanish called Guatuso, traditionally tell of a world they call the great house, where nothing happened until the gods came. The first to arrive was He of the Source of the Nharíne; he dreamed of a goddess, and she appeared, followed by the other gods, who chose him to rule.

He created plants, animals and people, and for a time the gods spent their days drinking chocolate. Then the goddess known as She of the Source of the Aóre grew envious of his creation, since she could not create, and pressed for the transformation of the earth. After messengers sent to warn the first people were ignored or speared, the cataclysm wiped out that humanity.

Spanish settlers found the Maleku only around 1750. A lack of permanent missions let their religion survive Catholic efforts.