The Brazilian Legend of Cumacanga: The Curse of the Headless Woman

In a small Brazilian village, terror gripped the inhabitants after nights of strange occurrences. Anxiety and fear spread, attributing the phenomenon to a curse or the presence of a dark force hidden among them.

As night fell, a ball of fire streaked across the village skies, zigzagging between houses as if searching for something. Fear led no one to dare to venture out at those hours, fearing it was a witch or an evil spirit.

Concerned, some inhabitants sought help from the local priest. They decided to observe the mysterious ball of fire by keeping vigil in the church with trusted men. On the second night of vigil, the bright sphere passed close to them, emitting flashes and disappearing on the outskirts of the village.

"We must wait another night to discover its origin," said the priest, "and may God assist us."

On the following night, more alert than ever, they saw the ball of fire emerge from a modest house. They headed there, unaware of what they would find inside.

The inhabitant turned out to be a beautiful young woman, but her licentious life had earned her a bad reputation. She was the product of a forbidden love affair that resulted in six illegitimate children. Stealthily, they entered her abode and climbed the stairs to her room. What they found was terrifying: the young woman lay on the bed, her body motionless, but without a head.

The fireball was not a spirit but the cursed skull of the young woman engulfed in flames. At dawn, she awoke without understanding what had happened. Although her head returned to normal, the villagers expelled her and forbade her return.

She was never heard from again.