Curupira

The Curupira is a figure from the Tupi- Guarani mythology of the Amazon region of Brazil. Already in 1560 he is mentioned by the Canarian Jesuit missionary José de Anchieta. He is regarded as the protector of forests and wild animals. The Curupira is described as a dwarf with flaming red hair, whose feet are turned backwards. He prosecuted and punished all (hunters, forestry workers, etc.) who do not respect nature. When a person disappears in the forest and does not arise again, the Curupira is suspected often. Other defenders of the nature of the Amazon are the Caipora and the white deer APPENDIXA.

Reception

In the Brazilian film Macunaíma met the hero a Curupira, as he wanders in the jungle. The Curipira appears here as a portly, white-skinned man with red hair and beard, who is dressed in a kind of apron leaves. He sits on a tree trunk, intersects with a knife strips of meat from the leg and eats them. Macunaíma asks the Curupira around a bit, and then the cutting off a strip for him. As Macunaíma has eaten it, the Curupira trying to catch Macunaíma with a ruse to eat him and his leg piece so incorporate again, but Macunaíma can escape with difficulty.