Cabra cabriola

What it is

The cabra cabriola is an imaginary monster from Portuguese mythology, also found in Brazil and across the Iberian Peninsula. The name translates literally to 'leaping nanny goat.' This creature is depicted as a goat-like beast with huge jaws, sharp teeth, and the ability to breathe fire from its eyes, mouth, and nostrils. It serves as a classic bogeyman figure, designed to terrify young children into obedience through fear of being devoured.

Where it comes from

The legend originates in Portugal and has been told to children for generations. Scholar Gilberto Freyre suggested a possible link to the lore of the Caprimulgus, or nightjar, a bird known locally as the 'goat-milker' which was believed to go out at night to milk goats and eat children. The creature's name derives from the verb cabriolar, meaning to prance or caper, reflecting its leaping nature.

How it is done

Stories describe the cabra cabriola approaching homes at night to lure children. In one common tale, it first tries to trick children by mimicking their mother's voice but fails due to its natural rough tone. Undeterred, it visits a blacksmith to have its tongue re-forged to replicate the soft voice of the parent. Once it can speak convincingly, it tricks the children into opening the door so it can devour them. Other tales involve it entering homes directly or refusing to leave until paid off by smaller animals.

Tools and materials

The creature relies on its physical attributes: massive jaws, sharp teeth, and fire breath. In some narratives, it uses deception tools like a forged tongue to mimic human speech. In other versions, it is driven away by small creatures like ants stinging it, or it demands payment in livestock such as roosters or lambs to leave.

What it is for

The primary purpose of the cabra cabriola is behavioral control within the household. Parents tell these stories to frighten children into staying inside, locking doors, and behaving well. It acts as a deterrent against wandering or disobeying parental instructions after dark, leveraging the child's fear of a man-eating monster.

Who does it

This legend is maintained by households and families. Parents and elders use the story as a disciplinary tool. There are no specific trained practitioners; it is a folk tradition passed down through oral storytelling within the home environment to ensure child safety and obedience.

Peoples and places

The legend is prominent in Portugal and Brazil, where it is part of the broader cultural sphere. In Brazil, it is listed alongside other local bogeymen like the Curupira and Cuca. Regional variations exist, such as tales localized in the Algarve region of Portugal involving different interactions with the beast and local wildlife.

What people believe

The belief system centers on the idea that monsters exist to punish disobedient children. The cabra cabriola represents the unknown dangers of the night. Its ability to change its voice and enter locked spaces reinforces the vulnerability of the home and the necessity of strict rules for children regarding who they allow inside.

When it is done

The creature is associated with nighttime and daily routines rather than specific festivals. Stories are typically told in the evening or at night when children are expected to be in bed and doors are locked, serving as a constant reminder of danger during vulnerable hours.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Scholars like Gilberto Freyre have attempted to trace the origins of the legend to older animal lore, specifically connecting it to the nightjar bird. Anthropologists view it as a standard example of a culture-specific bogeyman used for socialization and child discipline, similar to figures in other cultures.

Compare and confuse

It is compared to other bogeymen such as the Papa-meninos, the Chupacabra, and the Mula-sem-cabeça. Like many such figures, it shares the function of scaring children but is distinct in its goat-like appearance and fire-breathing traits. It differs from werewolves or headless mules in its specific focus on mimicking parental voices.

Questions people ask about Cabra cabriola

Good reading and sources

• Cabra cabriola on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data