MERFOLK MYTHOLOGY (3/6): The Iara/ Yiara

The Iara, or Mãe d'Água is the ancient Water Goddess of the Amazon River for the Tupi-Guaraní tribes of Brazil. She's an old deity whose roots have been shrouded in mystery. Her legend has evolved after the contact between the native tribes and the Portuguese explorers making it impossible to determine her exact origins.

Her name derives from the Tupi Y (water) and îara (lady/lord), meaning Water Queen or Lady of the Lake. Not to be confused with the brazilian river monster Ipupiara, who was portrayed in the movie "The Shape of Water".

Oral tradition says that the Yiara was the daughter of a Cacique (chief) in a misogynistic patriarchal tribe. She, however, grew up to be the most fierce warrior in the tribe, stirring the envy of her brothers, who plotted to kill her at night and blame her disappearance on Jaci, Goddess of Moon and Night. The Yiara, defending herself, accidently killed them instead and ran away to hide in the forest, knowing what her fate would be. Her father however managed to find her and kill her as punishment, dumping her body into the river. It was the night of the full moon and Jaci taking pity on her, turned her into a mermaid with green hair, stunning eyes and a fish tail. Her beauty and her voice became her weapons and she vowed revenge on all men. No men would dare to be near the rivers too close to sunset with the fear of being enchanted and taken by the Yiara. Surviving an encounter would make you permanently mad.

The Yiara was syncretized with Yemanjá and they are often times seen as one and the same. She represents both the beauty and dangers of the rich waters of the Amazon Basin.