Paraguayan Legends and Myths

When I was a child I could not sleep with my foot or hand hanging off the side of the bed, I couldn't sleep with my closet door open and I couldn't, I’m embarrassed to admit, sleep without a night light. Why you ask? All for one reason, the boogey man!

The boogey man is an example of a myth. A myth is typically a traditional story that deals with supernatural beings, heroes or ancestors that is used to explain how natural wonders or social customs came to be, or to teach a lesson. In most cases the boogey man is used as a tool to keep kids in line, if you don’t follow the rules to boogeyman will get you.

Paraguay has so many cultural myths and legends it would take 10 blog posts to tell you about them all so I’ll just tell you about my favorites.

Many of the myths stem from the marriage of Kerana and Tau. Tau was the personification of the evil spirit and he captured Kerana and together they had seven cursed children, all but one were born monsters. These seven children account for a majority of Guarani myths.

Teju Jagua – He is a large lizard with seven heads of a dog. He only feeds on fruit and honey (given to him by his brother Jasy Jarete) and is the protector of caves. He is considered harmless, but many children fear him because of his monstrous appearance.

Mbói Tu’ĩ – He is an enormous snake with the head of a parrot. He has a terrifying gaze that scares anyone that has the misfortune to come upon him. He lets out a loud squawk that can be heard for miles and instills terror into those who hear it.

Moñái – He is a large serpent with two horns on his head. He is the protector of thieves and robbers because he himself is responsible for the mysterious disappearances of people’s belongings.

Jasy Jatere- The only son not to be born a monster. Jasy Jatere appears as a small man or child with long golden hair and light eyes. He is considered the lord of the siesta, he wanders the town at siesta time looking for children who are out playing instead of napping. He is generally considered to be invisible except to the children who are not taking their siesta, he then lures them into the forest. Parents use Jasy Jatere as a way to get children to take their nap.

Kurupi – He is considered the lord of fertility and when you see a picture of him you see why. He is a short, ugly, hairy man who has a large penis that wraps around his body (like a belt) several times. Kurupi is often blamed for unwanted and unexpected pregnancies. He is also used to warn women to not leave the house unaccompanied.

Ao Ao – He is often portrayed as a ravenous sheep-like creature with massive fangs. He is considered to be a cannibal that will chase his victims through the woods and the only way to escape him is to climb a palm tree.

Luisón—He is called the lord of night and death. He appears vaguely human, but is horrendously ugly and smells of death. He is similar to the legend of the werewolf.

Another Paraguayan myth, and arguably the most popular or well known (there is even a popular song about him) is the Pombero. The Pombero also known as Karai Pyhare which means the man of the night in Guarani, is considered to be an ugly, short man with long hair. He is generally described as a mischief maker whose favorite activities are setting cattle loose, stealing chicken eggs or scaring horses. He is usually blamed for bad things that happen in the night. He is said to whistle before he appears but, he can be swayed from wreaking havoc if you leave him gifts of caña (sugar cane whiskey), tobacco or honey. (I have witnessed people doing this)

                                                                                                                 *Thanks Bree

What are some of your favorite myths and legends? Have you learned about any legends from other cultures or countries?