Kaaju

Ye'kwana

Variant orthographies
ALIV	Kaaju
Brazilian standard	Kaaju
New Tribes	Caaju
historical ad hoc	Kahu

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): [kaːhu]

Proper noun

Kaaju

Synonym of Odo'sha (“evil brother of Wanadi, Devil”)

Usage notes

According to Guss, ‘although interchangeable, “Odosha” is the general name for all the evil and negative forces of the universe, whereas “Kahu” or “Kahushawa” is the secret, specific name of the devil himself.’ Other sources treat the two terms as equivalent.

References

de Civrieux, Marc (1980) “Kahu (also Kahushawa)”, in David M. Guss, transl., Watunna: An Orinoco Creation Cycle, San Francisco: North Point Press, →ISBN
Guss, David M. (1989) To Weave and Sing: Art, Symbol, and Narrative in the South American Rain Forest, Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press, →ISBN, pages 54, 229