Alamoa: legend and origin

alamoa is a female creature that seduces unsuspecting sailors and fishermen on the beaches of Fernando de Noronha.

The story originates from the archipelago, but is part of the folklore of the seductive women who chase men like the mermaids and iaras.

Alamoa Legend

Legend has it that Alamoa is a beautiful white woman, with blonde hair and tall, who lives in Pico, located on the hill of the same name. On dark nights, she goes out completely naked to seduce men who cross her path.

Upon seeing her, passersby cannot resist her enchantments and follow her spellbound to her abode. When Pico's 323 meters rise, the Alamoa turns into a skull and imprisons the unfortunate that accompanied it. Other versions comment that she throws them off Pico's cliff.

The only way to break the Alamoa's magic is the lightning bolts, as she fears them and has to flee back to her dark cave.

There are versions that say that Alamoa only leaves its house on Fridays. Under the pretense that she needs help finding treasure, the Alamoa invites men inside. Once inside, the transmutation takes place and the reckless is never seen again.

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Meaning of the word

“Alamoa” is a feminine corruption of the word “German”. Another variation is “German”.

For the inhabitants of Northeast Brazil, a woman with these physical characteristics could only be German.

Almoa Origin

Some scholars claim that the Alamoa story would have arrived with the Dutch invasions because of her appearance. However, there is no document to prove it.