Project
6TH GRADE
Subject: The Pombero
Worked by: Tereza Miriaj, Mateo Mirashi, Mateo
Ndreca, Bruno Mhilli
Accepted by : Teola Shkodra
The Pombero known as Pomberito, is
from Paraguay but also in the
mythology of the Mbyá tribe of
southern Brazil and the Argentinian
province of (Misiones) and Cho Pombé
("Don Pombero") is a mythical
humanoid creature of small stature in
Guaraní mythology. The legend, along
with those of other mythological
figures of the Guaraní, is an important part of the culture of a region stretching
from northeast Argentina northward through the whole of Paraguay and into
southern Brazil.
. Pombero's original name in the Guaraní language is KaraiPyhare, lit. "The man of
the Night", he is said to be a primarily nocturnal creature. In some parts of
Argentina he is known primarily by the Spanish translation of his name, Señor de
la noche.
Although accounts of the Pombero's appearance and nature vary slightly from
one community to the next, he is usually described as being short and ugly, with
very short arms and hairy hands and feet. His hairy feet are said to give him the
ability to sneak up on people silently and the touch of his hairy hands to bring a
cold shiver. The Pombero generally dwells in rural areas, living in the forest,
although he will sometimes choose to inhabit an abandoned house.
As a forest dweller, the Pombero is said to be able to imitate the sounds of
various forest creatures. Most specifically it is believed that the Pombero can
imitate birdsong, especially those of a nocturnal variety, and as such is viewed as
something of a protector of the birds. Many witnesses of the Pombero say that
before he appears he whistles. Most are so frightened of gathering his wrath that
they never whistle again. One common aspect of the myth among various Guaraní
based societies is that the Pombero protects the birds from children who hunt
them with slingshots.
The Pombero is generally viewed as a harmless troublemaker. Owing to his
preferred habitat of rural forests, the targets of his mischief tend to be rural
farmers. Among his favourite activities are setting loose cattle, stealing eggs,
chicken and honey, frightening horses and causing them to throw their riders off,
as well as scattering corn, rice, or other provisions.
It is said that one can keep the
Pombero from engaging in
such mischief by leaving gifts
out for him, most specifically
cigars and rum, though honey
is also an acceptable offering.
Thus appeased, the Pombero
will abstain from wreaking
havoc upon one's home and possessions. In some areas it is believed that
repeated giving of these gifts can cause the Pombero to become friendly, to the
point where he will guard over one's home, animals, and possessions, and
sometimes even leave gifts in return.
The Pombero tends to be the most widespread and pervasive of mythological
figures among Guaraní speaking cultures today. In rural Paraguay, for example, it
is not uncommon for adults to fervently believe in this myth, to the extent that
they leave gifts of rum and cigars for the Pombero nightly. The Pombero is that
scary for children that most children in Argentina and Brazil refuze to go outside
because they are scared of the Pombero.
