Ah, don’t we all like a little look at mystery and imagination! Portugal, like many other countries, is packed with stories of mythical creatures and monsters that have been passed down through generations, and continue to be a part of Portuguese culture, and I picked a few to share with you.

The Coco or Coca, a female dragon
This was a legendary creature with a long, snaky body, sharp claws and deadly teeth, who lurked in dark places, waiting to snatch up unwary children. Having snatched them up, they would be tossed into a bag and stolen away for their flesh to be torn away and eaten, leaving no traces of them behind. Parents warned their children, ‘Behave, or Coco will come and take you away.’

The Bicho-Papão

Another creature that haunts dark corners of Portuguese folklore is the ‘Bicho-Papão’, often likened to the ‘boogeyman’. This figure was used by parents to scare children into behaving and was said to hide in closets or under beds, ready to grab children who refused to go to sleep. There is even said to be a lullaby: ‘Vai-te, Papão, vai-te embora (Go, papão, go away), de cima desse telhado, (from above that roof), deixa dormir o menino (let the boy sleep), um soninho descansado.’(a restful dream).

Legend of Saint Martin

This legend isn’t to scare children but tells of Martinho, who some say was a Roman soldier (the nationality seems to depend on who tells the story) returning to his home in a storm, who was stopped by a beggar dressed in rags. The soldier had little to give the beggar, but he cut his cape in half with his sword and gave one half to the beggar. In that moment, the storm instantly cleared and a radiant sun shone on them.

Thus, was born the miracle known as the 'verão de São Martinho', which means the 'summer of Saint Martin', whenever the cold weather of autumn gives way to a warm sunny day. The Dia de São Martinho, or the Day of Saint Martin, is traditionally near All Souls Day, when people celebrated their dead around a bonfire, and roast chestnuts (which are in season around this time), so that the souls that had departed could warm up in the heat of the fire and enjoy the nourishment of these autumn treats - washed down of course, with a wine known as água-pé, made from the addition of water to the grape pulp left after winemaking.

Enchanted Moura/Mouros

The Enchanted Moura is a supernatural being from fairy tales in Portuguese and Galician folklore. Beautiful and seductive, she lives under a spell, and it’s said she will be seen combing her beautiful long hair – which could be gold, red or pitch black. Under a spell, she promises a rich reward to anyone capable of breaking the spell and setting her free. According to ancient lore, there are a number of versions of the same legend, as a result of centuries of oral tradition. Mouras encantadas are said to be magical maidens who guard castles, caves, bridges, wells, fountains, rivers, and treasures.


Legend of the Seven Cities’ Lagoons

This is a legend that I particularly like, and comes from the Azores. Lagoa das Sete Cidades is a twin lake situated in the crater of a dormant volcano and consists of two small, ecologically different lakes connected by a narrow strait.

Here was said to be a kingdom with a beautiful, blue-eyed princess. Feeling trapped by the castle walls, she daily walked in the nearby fields, where she met a handsome green-eyed shepherd. They talked about their lives and dreams and – of course - fell in love. The King forbade them from meeting again and, devastated, she begged him to allow one last meeting with him. Moved by her grief, he allowed one last visit. The princess and the shepherd cried over their lost love and spoke of being separated, and their tears ran down the valley. The princess' tears formed a blue lagoon and the shepherd's tears formed a green lagoon, together since then side by side – never united but never apart.

Author

Marilyn writes regularly for The Portugal News, and has lived in the Algarve for some years. A dog-lover, she has lived in Ireland, UK, Bermuda and the Isle of Man. 

Marilyn Sheridan