(American mythology)

A late name for an active god of the Mochica. From archaeological evidence it seems that this pre-Inca civilization possessed a remote, almost indifferent, supreme being and creator deity, who was a sky god; beneath his throne, usually placed on a high mountain, ranged the mobile Ai Apace. This god shared the feline mouth of the nameless creator deity; also he wore snake-head ear-rings and a jaguar headdress. Possibly Ai Apaec was the son of the mountain god.