Legend of the headless mule: a chilling story

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THE headless mule is a character in Brazilian folklore and one of the best known myths in Brazil.

The legend of the headless mule tells the story of a black or brown donkey, which instead of the head has a fire torch.

The donkey has steel or silver horseshoes and neighs so loud that it can be heard from many meters away. It is also common to hear the animal sobbing like a human being.

It is said that the mule runs through the woods and fields scaring people and animals.

History of the legend of the headless mule

There are different versions for the origin of the headless mule. O All Matter selected the top two to share with you.

In one of them, it is said that if a woman slept with her boyfriend before marriage, she could be bewitched and turn into a headless mule.

This version was linked to the traditions of families who sought control of their daughters' love relationships. It was a way to keep them within the moral standards of the time.

Another version of the legend states that any woman who had romantic ties with a priest would be punished and turned into a headless mule.

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Of a moral and religious nature, this legend was intended to intimidate women who considered having a loving relationship with the priests of the Catholic Church.

According to the narrative, the enchantment took place on Thursday nights, when the woman was turned into a headless mule.

It threw fire through its neck and ran at a run through the woods and fields. With his paws, he tore apart the animals and people that appeared in front of him.

The enchantment disappeared on the third crow of the rooster. At that point, the woman was back to her normal self, usually exhausted and hurt.

To put an end to the enchantment that befell the sinner, someone should pull the brakes of the mule or stick it with some sharp object in order to draw blood from it, even if it was just a drop.

The incantation could also be taken off by the priest (the lover), who was supposed to curse her seven times before celebrating masses.

Origin of the legend of the headless mule

Did you know that the headless mule is not an originally Brazilian story?

The legend probably had its origins in the peoples of the Iberian Peninsula and was brought to America by the Portuguese and Spanish.

In Brazil, the legend spread through the rural area, the sugarcane area of the Northeast and the interior of the Southeast of the country.

In Mexican folklore, the legend of the headless mule is known as Malora. In Argentina, it became known as Almamula, which can also be called Ánima Mule, Tatá Cuña or Frailera mule.

Did you feel curious about the culture of the Northeast and Southeast regions? So be sure to read the texts below!

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The headless mule in children's stories

In addition to being the main character of the legend, the headless mule has appeared several times in children's stories.

In the book Aunt Anastasia's Stories, writer Monteiro Lobato makes reference to the headless mule and to several other figures of Brazilian folklore, such as, Saci Pererê, Curupira, Iara, Boitatá, Cuca and Werewolf.

Like the mule, these folklore figures were also part of several episodes of Yellow Woodpecker Site, a series of fantastic literature also written by Monteiro Lobato, which was adapted for television.