Kurupi

In Guarani mythology, the Kurupi (in Guarani) or Kurupira (in old Tupi-Guaraní) is a dwarf with a vigorous body, representative of the phallic myth and therefore of sexuality, being one of the most representative legendary monsters of the Guarani culture. He is the fifth son of Tau and Keraná, an ugly and black character, who comes out of the depths of the jungle to virgin women, to later seek them out, abuse them and finally rape them. This legendary character is part of the legends of the areas of Guarani influence, such as Paraguay, northeastern Argentina and certain areas of Brazil. The legend has regional and local variants in the story.

One of the possible meanings of "kurupi", in Guarani, is "skin with pimples" or "rough skin".

The Old Tupi-Guarani word variant of "kurupira" to the Creole Guaraní "kurupí" has also occurred in other words such as "kapi'yvara" in Old Tupi-Guaraní (referring to capivara or capybara) and "kapi'yvá" in the Guarani Creole spoken today.

It is often said that he has his feet backwards, which misleads those who want to follow his trail.

Description

He is a character with a stocky body and short stature, who has a long virile member, with which he binds his victims. He especially persecutes women, who go crazy to see him. He is also described as a stout, powerful-handed, coppery dwarf with a clumsy, jointless body. Because of this, he can be outwitted by climbing a tree, since he cannot climb or swim. In some versions, he is described as a cannibal. It is believed that the myth arises as a way to prevent women from the danger of the jungle and kidnapping.