[5] The Shuar see themselves as descendants of the water people whose shamanic power is directly acquired from Tsunki.
Tsunki's gift of the power to shamanize bestows upon the receiver societal respect and even economic advantages.
Tsunki and the hunter recounts a tale of a Shuar man who has killed a paca (animal) during a hunt with his family.
Upon the approval of the woman Tsunki's father, the Shuar man enters into the water world with her.
The Tsunki woman was so in love with the Shuar man that she joined him on earth, transforming herself into a snake.
She maintained her snake shape at home and resumed a human figure when she accompanied the Shuar man hunting.
The Shuar wives were curious because the man always slept alone in the men's quarters and acted strangely.
The Tsunki woman then became pregnant and as she was unable to accompany the man while hunting, she maintained her snake form and remained at home.
Upon his departure the curious wives opened it and saw the Tsunki woman as a small pregnant snake.
As a result, the Tsunki father released a slew of anacondas and created a grand storm.
The Shuar man responded sarcastically “a piece of good luck is waiting for you!” and he grabbed his daughter and carried her to the mountains.
The water inundated the earth everywhere except for the high palm tree in which the Shuar man and his daughter had climbed.
[11] Tsunki has a strong social connection to humans and often appears to people are becoming shamans.
[12] The degree of contact between people and Tsunki is also dependent upon a person's actions toward the spirit.