Stories from the Paraguayan Campo

It occurs to me that my last two blog posts have been lists, as is this one. I guess I am trying to capture the typical things we commonly see and hear, as we near the end of our Peace Corps service. This blog has been our picture journal, chronicling our service, cultural experiences, interactions, and adventures here in Paraguay. How could I not include a story about stories we've heard? Plus, it was a good opportunity to post some of the awesome photos Mark has taken!

In our small community, the people tell stories deeply rooted in nature. Some stories explain good omens, while others warn and caution the listener. This is a short list of some of the stories that have been shared with us:

*  If a butterfly enters your house, someone living there will receive money, (50 mil guaranies, to be exact- about $12.00 US)
 

* If a woodpecker enters your patio, it brings good news with it
 

*  If a humming bird enters your house, it brings good news about your family.
 

* When a new baby is born, place a burning hummingbird nest under her/his bed. The smoke produced will protect the baby from people who might enter the house, (I wasn’t sure if it was from germs or bad omens the people might bring with them).

* The sound produced by jui vacara’y (calf frog), sounds like a young calf and forecasts rain

*  One must be careful not to let a banana frog come into contact with the skin. If this happens, it can hold on so tightly, that it requires another person to pry it off.

* The tail of an opossum should never be touched as it is poisonous

* Toads should be handled carefully, as urine from a toad can cause blindness.

* One should monitor with ceilings and exposed rafters in their homes for “Ura”, a large black moth. If this moth urinates on your on your head, eggs are deposited at the same time. When the eggs hatch, the larvae burrow into the scalp, and grow into a grub under the skin.

So, you may be wondering, which of the above are actually true? After all, we have had a hummingbird enter our house and have received wonderful news from our family at home. We also know that there have been several visits to the health post by people in our village who need grubs removed from beneath their scalps. 

I’m not sure, but I do scan the ceiling for “Ura” from time to time. And when I do have to toss a toad from its hiding place in our house, I carry it “butt down” ensuring it’s urine is nowhere near my eyes….just to be sure…..I guess the “truth” is in the minds of people who choose to believe or not to believe.