Legend of Boto: summary, origin and history of this folkloric character

THE Legend of the Dolphin or Legend of the pink dolphin has indigenous origin and is part of the Brazilian folklore. This legend emerged in Amazon region in the north of the country.

The legend tells the story of a very intelligent animal that has a dolphin-like appearance. He lives in the waters found in the Amazon, on full moon nights he transforms into a charming and elegant man, dressed in white and wearing a large hat, in order to hide his nose, as his transformation does not occur totally.

Here in Brazil, in the month of July, during the commemorations of the Popular Saints (St. Anthony, St. John and St. Peter), it appears a lot in some regions of the country, in the so-called June parties.

THE legend of the boto, says that he is very communicative and conquering, he uses it to choose a single girl at a party in order to take her to the bottom of the river, to get her pregnant and then abandon her.

The next day, in the morning, he returns to his normal appearance of pink dolphin.

Curiosity: It is folk legend it is used to justify an out-of-wedlock pregnancy.

Legend to print:

Index

The Pink Dolphin: Traditions
He the Dolphin movie
The Legend of Pink Dolphin coloring page

The Pink Dolphin: Traditions

In typical and cultural parties there is a way to identify if a man is the pink dolphin by removing his hat in order to better check his face.
In some regions of the country, some people believe that eating dolphin carde makes one bewitched.
The Legend of Boto inspired the movie “Ele, o Boto” (1987).

He the Dolphin movie

In 1987, this legend becomes a movie that was directed by Walter Lima Jr. This movie was named He, the Dolphin.

According to an Amazonian legend, every month, during the full moon, a Brazilian fishing village receives a mysterious guest: the dolphin, who transforms into human, to seduce and be loved by women and hated by men. One of his achievements is the daughter of a fisherman, who has a son with Boto. He constantly reappears to seduce her and, even when she marries, he keeps looking for her. This provokes the anger of the husband, who wants to kill him anyway.

The Legend of Pink Dolphin coloring page

On moonlit nights the dolphin emerges from the waters of the rivers, transforming itself into an elegant gentleman. He wears a white hat, which he never takes off, to hide the slit in his head. He goes to balls and exerts an irresistible attraction on virgin girls who, if seduced, could end up pregnant. From gestation, new dolphin pups will be born.