Folklore

About folklore

August is the month of folklore. This is when we celebrate the rites, traditions, popular wisdom, dances, and festivities of different cultures around the globe. The date is celebrated worldwide on August 22nd. Inspired by the stories I heard when I was a kid in Brazil, I’d like to introduce you to 5 creatures of Brazilian folklore. Beware! They like to appear by surprise from time to time to haunt us.

One of my favorite characters from Brazilian folklore is the Curupira, a creature with bright red/orange hair that resembles a man or a dwarf. Curupira has a very unique trait: his feet are turned backwards. According to the legend, Curupira is unpredictable and can occasionally seem wicked. He lives in the forests of Brazil and protects nature in his own way. For example, Curupira will prey on poachers and hunters. He will also protect animals who are taking care of their offspring. Curupira uses its backward feet to create footprints that confuse hunters and travelers by leading them to its starting point.

​Curupira

​​Disponível em: https://streetsmartbrazil.com/5-amazing-creatures-brazilian-folklore/ Acesso em 16 de ago. de 2024.

This folkloric character is a headless mule that spits fire from its neck. The Mula sem Cabeça is one of the most popular tales of Brazilian Folklore. According to the legend, the mule runs through the woods and fields, scaring people and animals. One way to identify this creature is by the sound of a loud whinny accompanied by a loud groan. There are several versions of the headless mule. One of my favorites is that a beautiful woman was dating a priest. As punishment for the sin, she turns into this monstrous being on Thursday nights (especially in the full moon).

Mula Sem cabeça

​Disponível em: https://streetsmartbrazil.com/5-amazing-creatures-brazilian-folklore/ Acesso em 16 de ago. de 2024.

Multiple Choice

We celebrate the rites, traditions, popular wisdom, dances, and festivities of different cultures around the globe in _____.

• December

• August

• September

• November

Multiple Choice

__________ lives in the forests of Brasil and protects nature in his own way.

• Saci

• Boto Cor de Rosa

• Mula Sem Cabeça

• Curupira

Fill in the Blank

A unique trait of Curupira is that his ______ are turned backwards.

Fill in the Blank

Curupira lives in the ______ of Brazil and protects nature.

Fill in the Blank

The woman turns into the monstrous being on ______ nights, especially during a full moon.

Fill in the Blank

The headless mule is known for spitting ______ from its neck.

About folklore

Australian folk tales are largely indigenous with fantastical and terrifying creatures. Many of the folk tales however, are non-indigenous and reflect the expansion of European settlements across Australia with stories of gold miners and drovers, otherwise known as cattle herders. The folk tales paint a picture of a resilient and independent people, who rise to any challenge and are not afraid to confront and oppose authority.

Disponível em: https://fairytalez.com/region/australian/ Acesso em 16 de ago. de 2024.

Multiple Choice

TRUE OR FALSE?

Australian folk tales are mainly indigenous with fantastical and terrifying creatures.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

TRUE OR FALSE?

Many of the folk tales don’t reflect the expansion of European settlements across Australia.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

TRUE OR FALSE?

The folk tales paint a picture of a resilient and dependent people, who are afraid to confront authority.

• TRUE

• FALSE

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