Abuelito Huenteao or Taita Huenteao is a character very important in the mythology of the Huilliche of San Juan de la Costa. Several versions exists on the history of Abuelito Huenteao. One of these says he was a healer who travelled the lands of the Huilliche helping people before finally settling on the rocks of Pucatrihue.[1] Other versions says he settled at the sea because he followed his wife who was a mermaid (Spanish: sirena).[1]
Grammatically Abuelito Huenteao is a composite of Spanish and Huilliche language meaning "Granpa Huenteao".