THE legend of the big snake it is a folk myth from the northern and northeastern regions of Brazil on a gigantic snake with luminous eyes that inhabits the depths of rivers and lakes.
Of Amazonian origin, history explains in a legendary way the origin of the furrows where the rivers flow. These would be the tracks where the snake had passed. The inspiration for the creature may have been the anacondas (serpents of the genus Eunectes), which can reach eight meters in length.
The most current version of the story is the one in which an Indian woman becomes pregnant with an anaconda snake and gives birth to twin snakes – one called Honorato (or Norato, or Nonato) and one called Maria Caninana. India, disgusted by the appearance of her children, abandoned them in the river.
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Honorato, however, with a good heart, continued to visit his mother. Maria, for her part, was spiteful and harbored hatred for those who had abandoned her. Maria Caninana wrecked boats, devoured animals and people while Honorato disapproved of his sister's attitudes.
Honorato decided to kill his sister to put an end to his injustices and, in this way, he won the gratitude of the riverside tribes. On full moon nights, he assumed human form and walked the land, participating in the festivities with the Indians. However, he always had to return to the rivers.
Wanting to take part in human life, Honorato invited people to disenchant him: it was necessary to put milk in his huge snake's mouth and wound his head with virgin steel (which had never cut anything). However, no one had the courage to approach the monstrosity.
In one version of the legend, a brave soldier frees Honorato and he lives happily for years. In another, Honorato rebels at the time of his mother's death and goes to live buried under the cities, asleep.
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