Orehu In the mythology of the Arawak Indians of the Guianas, a water spirit, somewhat resembling a mermaid. One day an Arawak was walking beside the water when he saw an orehu arise from the stream, bearing a branch in her hand. She told him to plant the branch, which he did. Its fruit was the calabash, until then unknown among the Arawaks. The orehu appeared a second time with small white pebbles. She told the Indian to enclose them in the gourd so as to make a magic rattle, which was then used by the Semecihi, the medicine men of the Arawaks, to ward off the Yauhau, demon spirits.

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Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition – Written by Anthony S. Mercatante & James R. Dow
Copyright © 2009 by Anthony S. Mercatante