THE MOST KNOWN AND FANTASTIC LEGENDS OF PARAGUAY

We invite you to learn in the following article which are the main and best-known Legends of Paraguay, a country located in South America that hides an interesting cultural history, full of exciting myths and legends, in addition to being a widely folkloric nation.

Legends of Paraguay and its folklore

On this occasion we want to learn a little more about the culture and folklore of one of the South American countries with the greatest cultural tradition in the world, Paraguay. This nation is appreciated by everyone, not only because it has beautiful tourist attractions, extensive flora and fauna that make it an earthly paradise, but also for its renowned musical exponents and a high cultural wealth, which includes myths and legends. .

The folklore of Paraguay is directly related to the cultural activities that take place every year in the country, in addition to the stories and tales that have remained over time and that have been transmitted from generation to generation. We are referring to the Legends of Paraguay, which originally originated as an oral expression but are now a fundamental part of the country’s national identity.

We could say then that the folklore of Paraguay is one of the most complete and rich on the continent. Folklore in this country is the result of the syncretism of traditions, beliefs and customs of Creole-Guarani origin. We can appreciate its folklore in themes such as dance, music, cabalas and the oral dissemination of the legends and myths of the Guaranitic region of central-southern South America.

Oral literary tradition: Myths and legends

It is no secret to anyone that the territory of Paraguay, in South America, today has a wide diversity in terms of legends and myths, which are the special ingredient in the folklore of this country. The legends of Paraguay would be a clear example of the beliefs, art and imagination of the inhabitants of the area.

Furthermore, it could be said that the Legends of Paraguay are interesting stories that manifest the literary beauty of the country’s people. Most of these legends were created with the aim of arguing facts that are difficult to explain. Among the most well-known and widespread stories are: The legend of Yerba Mate, that of Ñanduti, among others.

Paraguay, in addition to being a country rich in fauna, flora, crafts and music, is also rich in culture. It is a nation that has great myths and legends to its credit that make its culture something much more exotic and mystical. It is a reality that Guaraní mythology presents a wide depth and variety, but the most outstanding thing about these myths and legends is that they are not only fictitious characters, difficult to imagine, but they do not have powers that exceed the limit of what could be be real

We could say that the legends of Paraguay and its myths are stories that seem more incredible than those of other countries on the continent. The legends include characters such as ugly animals, people who suffer from curses, stories that can be adapted to everyday life. Myths are part of the national treasure and part of the cultural diversification between Guaraníes and Spaniards.

In a few words we would say that Paraguayan mythology, also known by many as Guaraní mythology, is especially distinguished by creating stories that completely separate themselves from those almost omnipotent beings that appear in other narratives of this type. That is to say, in these stories we can find ordinary characters, whose exploits manage to touch the heart of those who read them.

The myth of Jasy Jateré

In most of the books and writings where the main myths of Paraguay are collected, we find one that is truly shocking and that has a special value for the locals. It is the myth of Jasy Jateré, a type of gnome that roams freely through the forested area of ​​the country. His name in Spanish means “moon fragment.”

The myth says that this being mainly travels through the harvest fields at the same time that people usually take a nap, especially in those rural regions where this tradition is still preserved. His physical appearance stands out, among other things, for having blonde hair and blue eyes. Another of his characteristics is that he invariably goes without clothes.

An element that stands out about this character called Jasy Jateré is the small golden rod that always accompanies him everywhere. It is believed that it is thanks to this rod that his victims come to him, completely without will. If Jasy Jateré realizes that the trapped person is in good health, he immediately takes him to his fraternal Ao, who will quickly devour him.

In some versions it is said that Jasy Jateré has the ability to imitate the chirping of birds. Perhaps it is for this reason that some people identify him as the “Guarani Cupid.” There are also versions that highlight the fact that this character is passionate about playing with children. First, he walks through the houses of the town until he finds a child who is taking a nap. Then he invites him to join him to eat some honey with fruit.

Then he plays with the child for a long time until the sun is about to set to give way to night. At that moment Jasy Jateré returns the child to his house without harming him. The bad thing is that the infant no longer wants to eat anything when dinner time arrives. That is why there is a belief in Paraguay not to let children go out during nap time, so as not to run the risk of encountering Jasy Jateré.

The myth of Luisón

According to Paraguayan tradition, Luisón is considered in the depths of Guaraní folklore as “The God of Death.” He began to receive this nickname because in many of the stories in which said character appears, he is seen hanging around the outskirts of cemeteries, given that one of his predictions was to devour the human remains of people who die and They are buried on site.

Tradition also says that on Tuesdays and Fridays of every week, this character called El Luisón usually loses his image as a human being and turns into an extremely unpleasant dog. It is a pet that draws attention mainly for its immense fangs, from which a nauseating smell emanates.

Then on Wednesday or Saturday morning, Luisón transforms into a person again, however, this time instead of being well groomed, he is a disheveled and homeless-looking man, with a sad look. Some versions of this myth highlight the fact that a couple that has only had male children should worry if they reach their seventh pregnancy, because when that child grows up he will become the reincarnation of Luisón.

Short Legends of Paraguay

In this part of our article we are going to learn about some of the main Legends of Paraguay, those stories that are an invention of primitive civilizations and that were created with the intention of trying to give an explanation to a phenomenon or situation that is not known. a rational response. Among the most famous legends in the country are that of Yerba Mate and the legend of Karau.

The Legends of Paraguay could be said to be the living example of the beliefs, art and high imagination of the inhabitants of this area of ​​the South American continent. Furthermore, legends are the main themes that manifest the literary beauty of the people. In short, they are stories that were created to argue facts that are difficult to explain.

Legends of Paraguay Yerba Mate

Legend has it that many years ago, in an area near the Guairá Falls, a couple lived with their little daughter in a rustic cabin. The girl was young, good-looking and quite physically attractive. On one of the many nights that the couple slept in that cabin, a friendly person knocked on the door, who asked the owner of the house to allow him to sleep that night in the place, since he was tired from the long trip. that he had had.

The man told him that if he gave him the opportunity to sleep there that night, as soon as the sun rose the next day, he would leave the house immediately. The owner of the cabin agreed that the unknown subject would spend the night at his house, because he saw in the man’s eyes that he was telling the truth. The owner asks his wife to kill the last hen they had left, to take great care of her guest.

Everyone ate like a beautiful family and after that, the couple left their bed to the guest, while they decided to sleep on the floor. He woke up and the unknown subject was already getting his things ready to leave, but suddenly he called the three members of the family who had treated him in a great way.

– I have to confess something to you, my dear friends. Actually, I am sent from heaven to reward people who selflessly do good deeds. From the first moment I entered your home, I could tell that you are a low-income family. Despite this, they gave me food and drink, without caring that it meant running out of food.

The owner of the cabin, somewhat surprised by the confession he had just heard, responded to the unknown subject that he would not accept any type of payment, because he had done it with great pleasure. However, the man sent from heaven insisted and told them: – I will make your daughter immortal.

As soon as he said these words, the man moved his hands and the body of the daughter of the cabin’s owners was transformed into a plant, which was planted outside his house. – People will not be able to remove the leaves from it, but it will always bloom again.

Legend says that this plant was Yerba Mate, which is used to prepare a typical infusion of South American people. The branches and leaves of this plant are delicately roasted until it releases a lovely aroma.

Legends of Paraguay Karau

This legend tells that on one occasion Karãu left his house in the afternoon in order to look for some medicines that his mother, who was seriously ill, needed. However, while he was walking to the pharmacy, he observed how in one of the houses located near the area, they were celebrating a very enjoyable party.

Karãu approached the party because he knew the organizers, he decided to go in to take a look. He completely forgot the mission he had to go get the medicines. He invited the most beautiful girl to the dance floor, who did not hesitate to accept the invitation, because Karãu was also an extremely attractive and beautiful young man.

The idea of ​​just dancing to a song or at most two and then going to buy medicine for his mother passed through the young man’s mind, however, the minutes began to turn into hours. Suddenly, someone touched the boy’s shoulder.

Karãu turned his head to see who it was and…