The Siekopai Myth of the Air Goblins and the Stolen Eyeballs

Deep within the Amazon rainforest, along the Nea’ocoyá River, lies a tale of clashing worlds, revenge, and the delicate balance between humans and spirits. The Siekopai people tell the story of the air goblins, or juri, beings who control the winds and possess a taste for more than just siripia fruits.

The Discovery of the Bountiful Fish

As the rainy season arrived, a school of remarkably large and delicious fish appeared in the river. The villagers followed these fish to a lagoon, eager to harvest their bounty. However, their young shaman sensed an unsettling presence, a feeling that they were not alone.

A Warning from the Spirit World

The shaman ventured into the forest and encountered a monse tree, humming with an otherworldly energy. He realized that spirits inhabited this place and warned his people that the fish had an owner. He forbade them from fishing until he could communicate with these entities.

Encounter with the Air Goblins

The shaman discovered a hidden world within the humming tree—a hollow as large as a house, filled with busy weavers. These were the juri, or air goblins, beings capable of flight and control over the winds. They taught the shaman the art of weaving and shared cryptic instructions, hinting at a darker purpose.

The Goblins' True Intentions

Back at the village, the people ignored the shaman's warning and used barbasco poison to stun the fish. As they feasted, they fell into a deep, unnatural sleep. The shaman and his sister, who had abstained from the poisoned fish, tried to wake them, but to no avail. A powerful wind arose, signaling the air goblins' presence. The jungle came alive with dangerous creatures, and the river flooded, washing away the fish and many of the sleeping villagers, who were devoured by the animals.

When dawn broke, the shaman realized the horrifying truth: the air goblins were not collecting siripia fruits, but human eyes. His own sister, now transformed, sought to harm him, but he defended himself with palm seeds, turning her into a peccary.

Revenge and Renewal

With his community decimated, the shaman and his sister sought refuge in another village. He shared the weaving techniques he learned from the goblins, but the desire for revenge consumed him. He returned to the air goblins' home, carrying chili peppers wrapped in leaves. He created a fire, smoking out the tree and killing the goblins who had consumed human eyes. The survivors, light enough to fly, escaped.

A Tale of No Clear Victors

The Siekopai legend serves as a reminder that in the meeting of the spirit and human worlds, there are no clear victors. Both the goblins and the humans paid a heavy price for their actions. Yet, even in death and destruction, there is an opportunity for renewal and the telling of tales that carry the wisdom of generations.

This Siekopai myth explores themes of respect for nature, the dangers of greed, and the consequences of disrupting the balance between the human and spirit worlds. It highlights the importance of listening to the wisdom of shamans and respecting the power of the natural world.