#pombero

Pombero from Guarani mythology.

Pombero, sometimes known as Pomberito, Karaí Pyhare (the Lord of the Night), Kuarahy Jára (Master of the Sun), or Cho Pombé (Don Pombero), is described as a short, unattractive humanoid with hairy hands and feet. Pombero is a mischievous nocturnal creature who enjoys seducing women, indulging in hard liquor and cigarettes. It is believed that one can befriend Pombero by offering these gifts. There is a belief that Pombero can impregnate women with just a touch or a trance, and children born with certain physical traits are often attributed to him.

The Pombero typically resides in rural areas, often choosing to live in the forest or occasionally in abandoned houses. As a forest dweller, the Pombero is known for its remarkable ability to mimic the sounds of various forest creatures, particularly nocturnal birds. It is considered a guardian of these birds. Many who have encountered the Pombero claim that it announces its presence with a distinctive whistle. This whistle is so fear-inducing that those who hear it rarely dare to whistle again. A common thread in various Guaraní-based societies' myths is the Pombero's role in safeguarding birds from children who hunt them with slingshots.The Pombero is generally perceived as a mischievous yet relatively harmless character. Given its preference for rural forest settings, its pranks typically target rural farmers. Some of its favorite activities include releasing cattle, pilfering eggs, chickens, and honey, frightening horses to the point of throwing off their riders, and scattering provisions like corn and rice.

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The Pombero [Paraguayan folklore, Guaraní mythology]

Should you ever find yourself in the woods of Paraguay, you may stumble upon a small, hairy humanoid creature with particularly hairy feet. At least, according to the mythology of the Guaraní. Due to its hairy feet (not unlike a Hobbit from Tolkien’s books), it can move very silently. Add to that his ability to become invisible at will, and the fact that he only comes out at night, and the Pombero is very difficult to find. This creature is a guardian of birds, protecting local birds from being hunted. Aside from that, he is also a prankster or troublemaker, enjoying pranks like setting loose cattle, stealing food and chickens, and spooking horses so they throw off their riders.

Some stories tell of the Pombero impregnating women, and the result is a particularly hairy and ugly baby. Some versions of these tales claim that the Pombero can impregnate a woman just by touching her, which is a really weird power to have as far as supernatural abilities go.

To keep the Pombero from causing mischief, people used to (and in some locations, still do) leave offerings of rum and cigars for the creature. It is said that the Pombero also accepts gifts of honey.

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Two interpretations of the Pombero

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Celebrating Paraguay Day 17

Paraguay has many myths and legends. One of them being the myth of the Pombero.

Pombero is a short hairy troll like creature that lurks at night among houses causing mischief. He has little respect for people with the exception of pregnant women.