Cuca... err, Cuca Witch

Why not spreading the story of Cuca — a brazilian folklore character that is used to scare poor children (yeah, please don't do that!).

Cuca ( /kʊˈkʌ/ ), known as a terrible aligator-like witch with blond hair (beautiful, you might say) is one of the brazilian — creepy but cool — folklore characters, characterized by being the nightmare of lots of children around the country. Legends say she sleeps once every seven years and when she screams it can be heard from 10 leagues (reminds me of a Vuvuzela).

The origin this creepy creature lays on a portuguese legend of a entity called Coca (/ˈkəʊkə/), which used to scare children. Brazil's Cuca is believed to come and get misbehaving kids and that's why we even have a song dedicated to her!

In English, it would be something like the following: Sleep, little baby!

For Cuca is gonna get you...

Daddy went to the farm, And Mommy went to work.

Come down, little cat,

Down from the roof,

Come to see if the baby,

Will have peaceful dreams.

(Nana nenem que a cuca vem pegar papai foi pra roça mamãe foi trabalhar Desce gatinho De cima do telhado Pra ver se a criança Dorme um sono sossegado) - Original version

Now imagine your kid listening to something like that before sleeping. Some may think it's cute and all, but... HELLO, WHY!?

Cuca is also used in a series of children television programs called "Sitio do Pica-Pau Amarelo" (Yellow Woodpeck's Ranch). You might not believe me, but she's a villain (*insert your astonished picture here*). She lives in a cave and hates everyone who lives around her. After knowing about this, will you sing the "cutest lullaby ever" for kids?

#fruits