Pombero is a character from Guarani mythology, being very popular in Paraguay, but also with some believers in the Mbyá tribe of southern Brazil and certain Argentine provinces.
Legend[]
He is described as a short stature and very ugly humanoid creature, with very short arms and hairy hands and feet by the Guarani people. This creature is responsible for ensuring that the fauna and flora are not threatened, that the trees are not cut down and that only the animals that will serve as food for the families are sacrificed. It is common for communities to ask Pombero to take care of the crops and to protect the animals. In exchange, they offer him tobacco and honey. But this does not happen voluntarily. If a family forgets, he wreaks havoc on their home and is capable of leaving his victim speechless.
You should never speak his name out loud, speak ill of him, or whistle in the dead of night, because it makes him angry. You can get revenge by teasing or teasing and even hitting that person. A mere touch with your hairy hands can cause the person to become dizzy, change, or experience tremors for the rest of their life. It is said that if the whistle is imitated, the pigeon can respond in a maddening way. Therefore, and in order not to offend him, the believers prefer to call him in a low voice and refrain from saying his name in the evening meetings.
Pombero is a harmless trickster, always playing pranks on rural farmers, such as setting loose cattle, stealing eggs, chicken and honey, scaring horses and making them throw away their riders, as well as scattering corn, rice or other provisions.
Similarly to Kurupi, another character in Guarani mythology, Pombero is also often accused of causing unplanned pregnancies in unmarried women with the mere touch of his hand, and it is said that babies who are born ugly and hairy are very likely the result of his visit.