Iara (mythology)

Iara, also spelled Uiara or Yara (Portuguese pronunciation: [iˈjaɾɐ], [iˈaɾɐ], [ˈjaɾɐ], [wiˈjaɾɐ], [ujˈjaɾɐ]) or Mãe das Águas ([ˈmɐ̃j dɐˈz aɣwɐs], "mother of the waters"), is a figure from Brazilian mythology based on ancient Tupi and Guaraní mythology. The word derives from Old Tupi yîara = y ("water") + îara ("lord; lady") = "lady of the lake" (water queen). Depending on the oral tradition and the context of the story,[1] she can be seen either as a water nymph, a siren, or a beautiful mermaid that lives in the rivers of the Amazon Basin.

"The Iaras", bronze sculpture by Cheschiatti, at the Alvorada Palace

Overview

The mermaid Yara in an official commemortive stamp by the Brazilian post office (1974).

According to the oral tale, Iara is a beautiful young woman, sometimes described as having green hair, light brown or copper-colored skin (as that of an Indigenous Amerindian from Brazil, or of a caboclo) and brown eyes, with a tail similar as a freshwater river dolphin, manatee or fish body (the Tupi word y did not have a distinct meaning, being used in general for any riverine or freshwater lacustrine place) who would sit on a rock by the river combing her hair or dozing under the sun. When she felt a man around she would start to sing gently to lure him. Once under the spell of the Iara a man would leave anything to live with her underwater forever,[2] due to the fact that she was pretty and would cater for all the needs of her lover for the rest of his life. Other versions indicate that she slew the men and drowned them. According to the oral tradition of Brazilian folklore, Iara was a beautiful young indigenous woman in a tribe of patriarchal customs, who developed a talent for warfare and gaining admiration from all of her tribe and respect from her father,[3] the chief of the tribe, but stirred up the envy of her brothers, who decided to sabotage her by murdering her during the night. The legend says Iara knew how to defend herself from the attacks of her brothers and accidentally killed them.[4] Discovered by her father, she took refuge in the woods but was captured and punished for the murders of her brothers by being drowned in the river (some versions orals claim they killed her and dumped her body in the river, blaming the night goddess, Jaci, for her disappearance[2]). Turned into a mermaid, she decided to take revenge on all men by seducing them and drowning them in the river. According to some folkloric accounts, those who survive end up going crazy,[5] or survive with teeth marks on their neck.[6]

Aspects of the legend

It is often claimed that, until the 18th century, the Iara legend did not pertain to the image of a seducing, docile river mermaid. Instead, it was originally about an aggressive and monstrous river merman known as Ipupiara ("freshwater monster"[7]), which would readily devour fishers.

Iara is immortal (like the nymphs of Greek mythology), but many of her lovers do age or die. It means that the Iara is condemned to live most of eternity alone.

The legend of the Iara was one of the usual explanations for the disappearance of those who ventured alone in the jungle.

In Latin American mythology

The Iara is similar in nature to several other female figures of folklore from other regions such as La Llorona from Mexico and the Southwestern United States, the Colombian creatures La Patasola and the Tunda and the Deer Woman of North America. All are females who at times function as sirens leading men to their death.

This physical deformity marking an otherwise perfect woman is a common theme among siren figures in the Americas but it is usually one of the feet. Deer Woman has hooves for feet, La Patasola and the Tunda have deformed feet and La Llorona is often said to have no feet by those who see her.

Adaptations

Andrew Lang wrote an adaptation of the legend of Yara in The Brown Fairy Book.[8]

American naturalist Herbert Huntingdon Smith recorded a version of the legend of Yara, which he titled Oiará, The Water-Maidens.[9]

Legacy and influence

Iara (or Yara) is a very popular female name in Brazil.

In modern media

In the film version of the novel Macunaíma (1969), the eponymous protagonist meets his death at the hands of an Iara. He embraces her eagerly and sees too late the blow hole in the back of her neck that gives her away as the creature she is and not the beautiful woman he mistook her for.

Notes

"Article on the city of Olinda". Archived from the original on 2012-03-27. Retrieved 2011-07-16.
"A história da lenda da sereia Iara (The story of the legend of the mermaid Iara)" (in Portuguese).
"Iara (Mermaid Iara)" (in Portuguese).
"Lenda da Iara (Legend of Iara)" (in Portuguese).
"Conto popular do folclore brasileiro - Lenda da Iara (Popular tale of Brazilian folklore - Legend of Iara)" (in Portuguese).
BANE, Teresa (7 July 2010). Encyclopedia of Vampire Mythology. McFaland & Company, Inc. ISBN 9780786444526.
[ipupiˈaɾɐ]in Portuguese phonological rules; by that [Pre-Pombaline] time, most Brazilians still spoke línguas gerais.
Lang, Andrew. The Brown Fairy Book. London ; New York : Longmans, Green. 1904. pp. 88-99.
Smith, Herbert Huntington. Brazil, the Amazons and the coast. New York: C. Scribner's Sons. 1879. p. 572.