Encantados

Encantado’s – Shapeshifting Dolphins for Brazilian Folklore

When I started writing my book I did a lot of research into mythological creatures. I came across one called an Encantado in Brazilian folklore. Not many people have heard of them but I found them wildly interesting.

So the first thing you should know is that they are shape shifters. According to myths they can shape shift into humans from a fresh water dolphin that lives in the Amazon river called the Boto. They are larger than most others of their kind. They are also said to be able to shape shift into snakes, such as the Cobra. There are still many south Americans who believe in them, and do not go near the Amazon river after dark, or when they are alone. Some say that they are the illegitimate children of an Encantado, or that they were taken by one to their underwater Utopia called  Encante, where it is said to be full of wealth, no pain or death. Although they live in a paradise, Encantados crave the human hardships. They often surface to go to parties ( They are party crashers). The strangest thing is that they wear hats, because of their blowholes, they don’t dissapear once they have shape shifted. The Encantados are mainly said to be men, but there has been stories of female Encantados. They have the power to control storms, enchant humans, inflict harm and insanity and they have superior musical abilities. Some stories have been told of people being taken by an Encantado and to have dissapeared, then they would return either pregnant, or an Encantado themselves. They are very promiscuous creatures, and fall in love easily. They like to kidnap humans and their illegitimate children and take them to Encante. After reading hundreds of stories of these creatures, my opinion is to steer clear of the Amazon river at night, as many people are said to have gone insane after meeting this creature.

Danger rating: 5/10

How to spot one:

Are they wearing a hat?

Are they dressed slightly old fashioned?

Are they extremely beautiful?

Do you find yourself enchanted by one, and wanting to follow it wherever?

Does this person love to crash parties, get drunk and have lots of sex?

If the answer is yes, then you have met an Encantado. Ask them to remove their hat, if they refuse tell them to leave the party as they need an invite.