Folk legends are a set of stories and folk tales that have been passed down from generation to generation through the orality. Legends have been present in the collective imagination for centuries and portray the history and culture of peoples.
Given the great miscegenation of peoples and cultures in Brazil, the Brazilian folklore is one of the richest in the world. Brazilian legends have indigenous, African and European origins and, in some cases, they originate from the interaction between these different cultures.
Brazilian folk legends
Here are some of the best known Brazilian folk legends:
Saci Pererê
This legend is one of the most famous in Brazil and dates back to the 18th century. Saci pererê is a one-legged black boy who smokes a pipe and wears a red cap that gives him magical powers. According to legend, whoever manages to remove his cap has the right to grant a wish.
Saci is a boy mischievous and playful and in some places it is considered evil. He likes to play tricks and mischief and loves to get ready in the kitchen. Saci makes milk spill, puts salt in food and also burns food on the stove.
Legend has it that it is possible to capture the pererê saci by throwing a sieve into its whirlpool. And for those who are being chased by him, the tip is to throw a rope with knots to the saci, as he will stop to untie them - it's the ideal time to escape.
It is believed that the saci was born from a bamboo shoot and that when it dies, it will become a poisonous mushroom.
Know more about folklore and Brazilian folklore.
Curupira
Also called redneck, the curupira is a dwarf with red hair and backward feet. The origin of this legend is Tupi Guarani and there are reports of its sighting from the colonial period.
Curupira is a protector of Brazilian flora and fauna, he punishes all those who do harm to nature. His feet are inverted precisely to confuse those who wish to follow him.
The curupira usually appears mounted on a wild pig and if you meet him, it is important to have a smoke rope to offer him.
Learn more about curupira.
Headless mule
The headless mule is a monster that has the body of a mule and in place of its head is a flame of fire. According to legend, the mule is a woman who became involved with a priest and as punishment received this curse.
It is believed that every night from Thursday to Friday she goes to a crossroads and then transforms into the beast, which roams villages, scaring animals and people.
When encountering a headless mule, it is important to lie facedown on the ground and hide your hands, as if the mule encounters a person, it will suck their eyes, nails and fingers.
It is said that it is common to hear the headless mule crying and that her crying sounds like that of a woman.
Learn more about headless mule.
Iara
According to this legend, Iara was a very beautiful Indian, who aroused the envy of many, even her brothers. Out of envy, her brothers decide to take Iara to the forest to kill her.
Iara manages to save herself, but ends up killing her brothers and as punishment is thrown into the encounter between the waters of the Rio Negro and Rio Solimões. From then on, Iara becomes a Mermaid - its name, in Tupi, means "lady of the waters".
Iara is a beautiful mermaid who attracts fishermen to kill them. They are mesmerized by her singing and her gaze and many end up drowning in the river when they go towards her.
See the meaning of legend.
Boitatá
Boitatá is a legend of origin Tupi Guarani and it means "fire snake". The boitatá is a huge snake that lives at the bottom of the river and protects the forests and animals. Reports of this legend were found in 1560, written by José Anchieta.
This snake, despite living under water, is covered in fire. It is believed that the origin of this legend is due to the phenomenon of willow fire, which allows the release of sparks in the surface of swamps and lakes, due to the methane gas released in the decomposition of dead animals and vegetable.
It is believed that whoever looks directly at the boitatá may go blind.
boto
The folk legend of the boto originates from the Amazon region. According to this legend, on June festival nights, the dolphin comes out of the water and becomes a very charming man. When the party arrives, he chooses a girl to win over and take her to the bottom of the river to mate.
The two mate and the boto makes the conquered girl pregnant. Because of this legend, it is common for children with unknown paternity in this region to be called "son of the boto".
Negrinho from the herding
The shepherd boy is a afro-christian legend from southern Brazil and was told by those who defend the end of slavery. This boy was a black slave who, after accidentally losing a horse, is mistreated by his master.
After whipping the boy, you tied him to an anthill. The next day, to the master's surprise, the boy was standing unharmed and beside him was the virgin mary and the lost horse. The boy kisses the saint's hand, gets on the horse and leaves.
Werewolf
Werewolf is a legend of origin European. This character is a monster that has half of its body in wolf form and the other half in man form. It feeds on blood and usually appears on the nights of full moon.
Learn more about werewolf.
head
Cuca is an evil old woman who has the face of an alligator. This story has origin portuguese and resembles the tale of bogeyman. According to this legend, the head catches the disobedient children who do not want to sleep. It is because of this legend that we sing to the children "nana baby, that the cuca comes to get...".
Learn more Brazilian folklore characters.
