Ahó Ahó is a monstrous creature that devours people. This legend was probably created by Jesuit priests to convince the indigenous people to remain in the missions and not return to their villages. Thus, they took the opportunity to demonize the forest and show that the only salvation came from Jesus Christ. This story is present throughout the territory belonging to the Guarani people, in what is now Paraguay, Bolivia, Argentina and Brazil.
Mythology[]
It is said that Ahó Ahó was a monster similar to a sheep, but with large horns, that stalked people to devour them. Other sources describe it as a large shaggy dog that blew smoke from its mouth.
The Ahó Ahó always walked in groups and called each other using this sound "ahó ahó". They sought out unsuspecting people who were far from the reductions maintained by the Society of Jesus. The only solution for one to escape an Ahó Ahó attack was to climb a palm tree, considered sacred for providing the palms that acclaimed Jesus on the Sunday before Easter.
If one climbed a tree of a different specimen, the Ahó Ahó would dig the roots until the tree falls and could devour its prey.