We are pleased to participate in the A to Z Blog Challenge (http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/). The Story Crossroads theme for this year is “Fantastic Females in Folk & Fairy Tales.”
About Giants and Brazil:
So many giants are found in Brazilian folklore. While the summary below only says “Sun Giant,” almost every character in the story (implied or simply not room to share) were giants. There was the Moon Giant, Giantess (Ibura’s Mother), Wind Giant, and Giant of the Rain (Ibura’s Son). Yet, in the “where to find story” section, there is a whole book dedicated to giants from Brazil. Much of the Amazon rainforest is in Brazil, and many plants and rivers are incredibly large. Naturally, there would need to be giants that inhabit such a space.
50-word-or-less summary
Ibura lived with Mother. Sun Giant persistent proposals. Agreed if can visit Mother three months each year. Not allowed to take Child to visit Mother. Mother missing! Imprisoned! Released! More than three months. Sun Giant remarried. Child abandoned by new wife. Searched! Tears fell on her from sky. Son found!
Finding the Story:
Book – The Princess of the Springs: a story from Brazil – here
Book – Tales of Giants from Brazil – here
Finding the “Fantastic”:
Ibura loved living with her Mother. While Father was a Moon Giant and always in the sky, Ibura preferred the time on earth. This Mother/Daughter bond becomes even more fantastic when she insists to have three months every year to visit her Mother before saying “yes” to Sun Giant as a husband. Yet, when her Mother was captured by the Giant of the Land, Ibura was willing to search for more than three months.
Sadly, this long search was too long for her Husband. She lost a Husband (due to that new marriage) as well as her Child in one day. She had much to face. Who did she turn to? Her mother who she had recently rescued with the help of Wind Giant.
Instead of giving up or complaining of having another search–this time for her son–she carried forth. Her indomitable spirit is inspiring. When she felt water/tears from above, she was in tune enough to look up and find her son. By the way, this is how the wet season is explained for Brazil. Her son became the Giant of the Rain, which could be for sadness or happiness.
We can all have tears of happiness for the family reunions of Mother and Son…and don’t forget Grandmother!
Recommended Article:
While Ibura had to search for her mother as well as her child, this article celebrates the AMBER system for people to help find missing children called “An Enduring Legacy for Amber: 1,000 Success Stories” written by Patricia Davis.
Thoughts?
Please share thoughts in the comments. While you enjoy this blog, Story Crossroads has year-round offerings. See our popular links and upcoming events at our One-Stop.
As for our past A to Z Challenges…
Story Crossroads celebrates the hybrid Summit & Festival on May 13-16, 2024 – yes, in-person and virtual – and would be honored for you to join us. Explore the schedule and register here: http://www.storycrossroads.org/Festival
Thanks to funding from National Endowment for the Arts; National Endowment for the Humanities; Western States Arts Federation; Utah Division of Arts and Museums/Utah Legislature; Utah Humanities; City of Murray; Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP) of Salt Lake County; Salt Lake City Arts Council; and people like you.