Boi-tatá is a fantastic creature belonging to the Guaraní mythology, it is a myth from Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina, this creature is a huge fire serpent that appears and attacks against those who harm the forests and animals of the Amazon. He is the Brazilian equivalent of the will-o'-the-wisp.
Etymology[]
Its name comes from the union of two Guaraní words mbói (snake) and tatá (fire), the result being Mbói tatá in the original language (Guaraní) which means "Serpent of Fire".
Myth[]
Since colonial times, different legends have been recorded about this creature, some explaining its origin or others narrating its appearances. The most interesting and well-known is that of Rio Grande do Sul, in Brazil, which narrates the origin of the boitatá in this way:
It is said that at one time the jungle was accompanied by darkness and floods that never ended, then the animals went to stay in the highlands. The boiguaçu, a snake that lived in a dark cave, was the only animal capable of seeing in the dark, so he takes advantage of the situation and decides to eat the part he loved the most, the eyes. After having eaten so many eyes, their light makes the snake's eyes become bright like two suns, its elongated body begins to burn in flames, at that moment the power escapes leaving the boiguaçu weak and it dies.
Now this snake appears like a beam of fire flying over the sky of the jungle, it is said that whoever meets the boitatá, could go blind, die or even go crazy. In order for this not to happen to those who come across the boitatá, they affirm that it is best to stay still, without breathing and with your eyes tightly closed until you feel that the snake is gone.
The truth is that the boitatá is the protagonist of several narratives in the literature of the Rio Grande do Sul region.
Modern Depictions[]
Literature[]
- Boitatá is featured on the children's book Turma da Mônica - Lendas Brasileiras: Boitatá (ISBN 85-3942-209-3), that uses Mauricio de Sousa's "Turma da Mônica" IP to teach the legend.
Comic Books[]
- Boitatá appeared in the first issue of Future State: Wonder Woman, and again in the 2021 Wonder Girl issue #3 "Homecoming, Part Three".
Video Games[]
- In the MMORPG AdventureQuest Worlds, a monster called Dark Boitata appears in the Dark Festa location. Contrary to the original legend where Boitatá is a flaming snake, here Boitata is a giant black snake with some red details on its head and surroundings.
Gallery[]
| Tupi-Guarani Mythology Articles | |
|---|---|
| Major Deities | Guaraci • Iara • Nhanderuvuçú • Rudá • Tupã |
| Other Deities | Angatupry • Angra • Anhangá • Anhum • Ceuci • Jaci • Jurupari • Porâsý • Tau • Xandoré |
| Major Figures | Abaçaí • Açaí • Acutipupu • Andurá • Caipora • Curupira • Erem • Guaraná • Honorato • Ipupiara • Mandioca • Maria Caninana • Pirarucu • Rupavé • Sypavé • Tumé Arandú • Uirapuru • Vitória-Régia |
| Groups & Peoples | Icamiabas • The Seven Monstrous Children |
| Creatures | Antã • Boitatá • Boiuna • Boto Cor-De-Rosa • Capelobo • Mapinguari • Mbopí recoypý • Onça Celeste • Pombero • Uaiuara • Yaguareté-abá |
| Locations | Kuarahy • Yvy marã e'ỹ |
| Brazilian Mythology Articles | |
|---|---|
| Major Deities | Deus • Folharal • Iara |
| Major Figures | Alamoa • Barba Ruiva • Negrinho do Pastoreio • Teiniaguá • Vitória-Régia • Zaori |
| Creatures | Besta-fera • Bicho-papão • Boi-Vaquim • Boitatá • Boto Cor-De-Rosa • Bumba Meu Boi • Cabeça Satânica • Cabeça-de-Cuia • Caboclo d'Água • Cabra Cabriola • Capelobo • Cuca • Comadre Fulozinha • Corpo Seco • Cumacanga • Dué • Famaliá • Fura-Pés • Gorjala • Isquelê • Labatut • Lobisomem • Loira do Banheiro • Matinta-Perera • Mula Sem Cabeça • Mãe-de-Ouro • Mãozinha-Preta • Onça-Boi • Pai do Mato • Papa-Figo • Pisadeira • Princesa Encantada de Jericoacoara • Quibungo • Romãozinho • Saci • Sanguanel |
| Locations | Serra do Sabarabuçu |