BRAZILIAN FOLKLORE CHARACTERS

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/