The curupira It is a mythological being that lives in the Amazon jungles of the Brazil and Colombia. It is considered a guardian either protector of nature (plants, trees and animals).
Legend has it that the curupira is a creature that resembles a goblin, it is short, about the size of a child, it has red hair, pointed ears and upside-down feet.
It is said that the curupira gave a talisman to a man so that he would have luck during the hunt, only on the condition that he would not divulge her secret. However, the man's compadre gets him drunk until he reveals the secret, this made the curupira angry, imposing a punishment on him and taking away the talisman.
(Read Also: Kaliawirinae, the myth of the food tree (Sikuani))
The stories say that the Curupira is a great protector of nature, it protects plants and animals from all the indiscriminate damage that man can cause, although it tolerates hunting that is done with the intention of feeding, it hates hunting for sport or pleasure, In the same way he exercises his punishments on those who cut down the trees.
It is said that the curupira usually attacks its enemies, making them lose their way in the jungle, it confuses them with its footprints as it has its feet upside down, and it is also said that it is very fast, which makes it almost impossible to catch it.
Other versions of the legend of the curupira
Depending on the region where the legend of the curupira is told, it will have certain variations. Some of these legends consider the curupira as a male version of the mother mount, in others it is said that the curupira sometimes kidnaps children with the intention of teaching them to take care of the jungle and the animals; these children are returned after 7 years. Some stories also indicate that this being usually kills its victims.
(Read Also: Legend of the Hojarasquín del Monte)
In some versions the curupira is confused with the Caipora, another mythological being that has similar characteristics. Another being with whom he is related due to his name is the Kurupí another mythological being that has a greater presence in Paraguay, although there are also stories of the same in Argentina and Brazil.
Origin of the legend of the curupira
The legend of Curupira has its origin in the indigenous cultures that inhabit the territory of the Amazon, the oldest written reference we have of this mythological being comes from the Jesuit José de Anchieta one of the founders of cities from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
In 1560 Anchieta wrote: “It is known by word of mouth that there are certain demons, which they call Curupira, which often happens to the Indians in the mountains, whipping them, mistreating them and killing them. "They are testimonies collected from our brothers who sometimes saw the dead."
What does the curupira look like?
The curupira is described as an elf or dwarf of the height of a child, has red hair, pointed ears and upside-down feet.
(Read Also: Myth of Bachué: The progenitor goddess of humanity (Muiscas))
In some versions of the legend he is described with an ax in his hand or with a spear or arrows, in others it is said that his body is covered with hair.
In which places does curupira appear?
The curupira makes appearances especially in the Amazon jungles of countries such as Brazil and Colombia. Brazil is where this being has a greater cultural presence.
Curupira in popular culture
The figure of the curupira has gained great cultural importance mainly in Brazil, where many consider it the great guardian of the forests, in 1970 the State of São Paulo declared July 17 as the “Forest Protection Day” either "“curupira day” who they named “symbol of the state, guardian of the forests and the animals that live in it.”
(Read Also: Legend of the Mohan or the Poira)
On September 21, 1970, the monument in honor of the curupira was also inaugurated in São Paulo in Horto Florestal (Alberto Löfgren State Park (PEAL)), this being a replica of the sculpture existing in the Fabio Barreto Municipal Forest.
In film and television the figure of the curupira has also been present in films such as “O Curupira” from 1967 where the curupira hunts and punishes a group of hunters who enter the forest, in series like “O Sitio do Picapau Amarelo” where the curupira is a character in the series, another production worth highlighting is the documentary “Curupira, creature of the forest” 2018. In literature he has been mentioned in works such as “O Guarani” of Jose Alencar.
The figure of the curupira has also been present in music, for example in the name of the Colombian group “Curupira” a pioneering group in the new colombian music.
(Read Also: Legend of the Cucacuy)
In 2023 the Amazonas State University I created a device powered by artificial intelligence (AI) that is capable of detecting the sound of chainsaws and machinery that causes deforestation. This device called “Curupira” acts as a guardian of the forest that alerts the authorities to act.
How to protect yourself from curupira?
One version of the legend says that one of the ways to protect yourself from the curupira is to keep it happy by leaving it gifts such as food, arrows or tobacco.
Did you like this article? Leave your opinion in the comments and share this story with your friends and acquaintances so they can discover our unique stories.
