Brazilian Mythos and Folklore
The Pink/Amazon River Dolphin
(o boto cor-de-rosa, in Portuguese)
Originated in the North region of Brazil, within the Brazilian native indigenous communities, the legend of the Pink River Dolphin features the encantado*, a shapesifter whose forms are that of a handsome young man, who’s seductive and very attractive - tall, muscular, wearing white social clothing and a white hat to hide his blowhole -; and that of a pink colored dolphin.
It is said that, the Encantado gets out of the river to turn into his human form on Festa Junina** nights, or when it’s a full moon night, to look for beautiful young women, enchanting them with his charm until they agree to follow him to the depths of the river, where he impregnates them, and then turns into a dolphin as soon as the sun rises.
The Pink River Dolphin is considered to be a great friend of the local people - helping fishermen, guiding boats safely during storms, helping people who are drowning, etc. And so, people believe one is to get terrible bad luck if they kill one of the creatures - stating even that if you eat the dolphin’s meat you’ll lose your mind, and it is said that if someone makes eye contact with them, they are doomed to have nightmares for the rest of their lives.
The Pink River Dolphin tale is used to give reason to children whose father is unknown - when a child is born and the mother doesn’t know who the father is, people say that child is the PRD’s child.
To be made sure a man is not an Encantado, it’s recommended you make him take his hat off, so you can see if he has or not a breathing hole on his head.
The tale is also used to justify outside-of-marriage pregnancies.
** Festa Junina = Party of June, or “junine” party or parties, traditional Brazilian celebrations that happen throughout the month of June.
(i do not own the picture)
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