Jawnomicon

Curupira

Also called Curupir, Kurupira.

In Brazilian and broader Amazonian folklore, this forest guardian spirit is known for feet turned backward, a trait used to confuse and mislead hunters and loggers who threaten the woods.

At a glance

Tradition
Brazilian folkloreGuarani mythology
Region
Brazil (place of origin)Amazon Rainforest (habitat)
Trait family
The False Guides

Near this figure

and 2 more
  • Will-o'-the-Wisp Confuses travelers · Confuses travelers into losing their way
  • Leshy Forest guardian punishes poachers · Confuses travelers into losing their way

Traits

Read from the figure's description, which a model wrote. Open "why" for the sentence a trait came from.

Form

Behaviour

  • Forest guardian punishes poachers
    why

    It is said to punish hunters who kill more game than they need, who harm pregnant or nursing animals, or who set forest fires, by luring them into the woods until they become hopelessly lost, sometimes driving them to madness or death.

  • Confuses travelers into losing their way
    why

    The Curupira's signature power is rooted directly in its backward feet: anyone attempting to track it, or whom it wishes to mislead, is fooled by footprints that point the wrong way, sending pursuers deeper into the forest rather than out of it.

  • Mimics human voice to mislead
    why

    In some tellings the Curupira can also mimic animal calls and human voices to lure victims off their path.

Utility powers

  • Vocal mimicry
    why

    In some tellings the Curupira can also mimic animal calls and human voices to lure victims off their path.

Curses

  • Confuses travelers
    why

    The Curupira's signature power is rooted directly in its backward feet: anyone attempting to track it, or whom it wishes to mislead, is fooled by footprints that point the wrong way, sending pursuers deeper into the forest rather than out of it.

Roles

Judged from the works' own entries, not from the description. Carries: the figure holds the role. Meets: the role is in its stories, held by something it meets.