Brazilian folklore is an enchanting mixture of
Indigenous, African and European stories. Here are 9 characters found only in
Brazilian fables:
Boto
Boto is a freshwater dolphin found in the Amazon region.
In Brazilian folklore the Boto transforms from dolphin into man and
impregnates women. Historically women who get pregnant with a man who doesn’t
stick around (or whom they don’t see again) can blame the pregnancy on the Boto.
The Boto is a partygoer
and he disguises his dolphin blowhole with a hat! He’ll also kidnap children
and women who shy too close to the river at night.
Cuca
The Cuca is a character
similar to the bogeyman. Parents can use the Cuca to trick children into
going to bed: if you don’t sleep the Cuca will come and eat you or haunt
you with your worst nightmares. She looks like a crocodile-woman that sleeps
only once every 7 years.
Cuca is prevalent in many Hispanic legends and
therefore is believed to originate from Spain and Portugal.
Curupira
The protector of the
forest, Curupira’s legs are on backwards. Curupira originates
from the indigenous Tupi word “child’s body”, that is why he is pictured as a
child. He guards the forest taking revenge on those who intentionally damage nature,
but he can also help those lost in the forest. Since his legs are backwards
it’s impossible to track him down, and some say his hair is fiery ginger.
Boitatá
Another protector of the forest, Boitatá, is a
kind of flaming snake. It can it see well at night because it consumes the eyes
of its prey. So, it has bright flaming eyes that light up its path in the
darkness.
Iara
Iara is a mermaid or that
seduces men. In a Guarani indigenous legends, Iara was a warrior that
was murdered by her brothers, or murdered them: both versions exist. As she is
left drowned in the river, perhaps as punishment or at the hands of her jealous
brothers, she morphs into a cross between fish and human.
Iara is a character
warned about in the Amazon because she drowns men.
Mula Sem Cabeça
Where the head once was, protrudes a fiery gape. This
character is used as a warning to anyone who is heading towards sin. If a woman
commits any kind of outlandish wrongdoing she’ll could become the headless mule
forever. There’s not much else to it, other than follow societal norms or become
the Mula Sem Cabeça.
Saci Pererê
The Saci is a one-legged capricious character materialized
in a whirlwind and causing troubles. He. For this reason, when there is chaos
in Brazil, people attribute this to Saci, a little trickster.
He’s often depicted smoking a pipe and with a red hood
or head scarf, which possesses magical powers. Saci is dark skinned.
There are several stories of how he lost his leg. The
main one claims it was in a capoeira battle.
Caipora
This entity protects the animals of the forest. He is
depicted as a small native Brazilian who rides on a hog or is a shapeshifting
hog. Basically, Caipora defends the ecosystem, ensuring fair game in
hunting by tricking hunters with sounds and false clues.
ADAPTED FROM: https://www.footlooselemonjuice.com/brazilian-folklore/
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário