Tradition: Brazilian Mythology
Alternative Names: Werewolf, Brazilian Werewolf
Category: Pig
The Myth
The Lobisomem is a supernatural creature found in Brazilian and wider South American traditions. It is most commonly described as a werewolf, resembling the wolf-like shapeshifters known from other cultures. However, some Brazilian accounts portray it as a ball of fire or an unusually large pig. In human form, it appears much like an ordinary person, except for slightly pointed ears and pale, yellowish skin.
There are several explanations for how a person becomes a Lobisomem. One may be transformed after being bitten by one or coming into contact with its blood. In some traditions, the curse falls upon the seventh son in a family, although it can supposedly be prevented by having an older brother serve as his godfather. Another version claims that the first male child born to parents who already have seven daughters will undergo his first transformation on his thirteenth birthday. The condition may also be understood as a punishment for incest, concubinage, or a woman’s sexual relationship with a priest.
The Lobisomem’s transformation takes place at night, although accounts differ over its timing. Some traditions claim that it transforms every night during a full moon, while others maintain that the change occurs only on Fridays when the moon is full. In its transformed state, the creature typically attacks travellers and animals encountered along roads after dark, making it a feared presence in the Brazilian countryside.
Sources
“Lobisomem.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed October 31, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobisomem