Who is Curupira?
The Curupira (Portuguese pronunciation: [kuɾuˈpiɾɐ]) is a mythological creature present in the Tupi-Guarani myths in the Amazon rainforest of Brazil. The name comes from the Tupi language kuru'pir, meaning "covered in blisters". According to the cultural legends, this creature has bright red/orange hair, though his hair can also ignite and turn into fire, and resembles a man or a dwarf, but its feet are turned backwards. The demon Curupira lives in the forest and uses its backward feet to create footprints that lead to its starting point, thus making hunters and travelers confused. Besides that, it can also create illusions and produce a sound that is like a high pitched whistle, in order to scare and drive its victim to madness. It is common to portray a Curupira riding a collared peccary, much like another Brazilian creature called Caipora. Curupira will prey on poachers and hunters that take more than they need of the forest, and he also attacks people who hunt animals that we...
