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Overview
In the Los Andes report, no one has seen the Destalonado’s body. It occupies the centre of a rapidly moving dust whirlwind, snatching and devouring children in its path. Its passage leaves the impression of a foot without a heel, which explains its name in the account.
The Talagante report instead describes a nocturnal raider of houses and henhouses. People who believe they have seen it describe long hair, a beard and an enormous bag suspended from its neck for carrying stolen poultry. The same heel-less footprint identifies this figure. Vicuña prints the two accounts separately; the Talagante thief is not said to whirl in dust, and its physical portrait does not make the unseen Los Andes being visible. Neither short account gives a named encounter or a successful way of capturing it.
Origins & earliest records
Julio Vicuña Cifuentes, Mitos y supersticiones recogidos de la tradición oral chilena, Santiago: Imprenta Universitaria, 1915. Collection localities, remembered testimony and quoted writings are distinguished; publication dates do not establish the beginning of oral transmission.
Records & interpretation
Section XV, El Destalonado, complete reports a–b, pp. 46–47; localities Los Andes and Talagante, individual informants unnamed.
In the literature
“una planta de pie sin talón”
XV El Destalonado, complete reports a–b, printed pp.46–47; quoted printed p.46 · Not applicable: inspected original Spanish
The Los Andes report describes an unseen being at the centre of a rapidly moving dust whirl, taking and devouring children and leaving a heel-less footprint. A separately labelled Talagante report describes a small bearded night intruder raiding henhouses, with a huge bag hanging from the neck for its booty, and the same heel-less footprint. The first says no one has seen it; the second is explicitly what people believe they have seen.
Selected bibliography
Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.
- 01
Mitos y supersticiones recogidos de la tradición oral chilena
Section XV, El Destalonado, complete reports a–b, pp. 46–47; localities Los Andes and Talagante, individual informants unnamed.
- 02
Mitos y supersticiones: recogidos de la tradición oral chilena — XV El Destalonado, complete reports a–b, printed pp.46–47
Julio Vicuña Cifuentes, Santiago de Chile: Imprenta Universitaria1915; original title page previously checked, selected complete sections below visually read in National Library MC0008702 PDF. No claim of whole-volume review.
Family & connections
A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.
Located primary passages
Specific passages supporting details in this entry, grouped by their published witness.
Primary source witness
Julio Vicuña Cifuentes, Santiago de Chile: Imprenta Universitaria1915; original title page previously checked, selected complete sections below visually read in National Library MC0008702 PDF. No claim of whole-volume review.
- The Los Andes report describes an unseen being at the centre of a rapidly moving dust whirl, taking and devouring children and leaving a heel-less footprint. A separately labelled Talagante report describes a small bearded night intruder raiding henhouses, with a huge bag hanging from the neck for its booty, and the same heel-less footprint. The first says no one has seen it; the second is explicitly what people believe they have seen.
Two local witnesses differ in visibility and conduct. Do not merge the child-devouring whirlwind and small poultry thief into a single independently observed anatomical description.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Primary textVicuña Cifuentes 1915: complete regional accountResearch access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
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