Case file · Folklore / legend
Lobisomem of Joanópolis
The Brazilian werewolf, the lobisomem, is often said to be a seventh son who turns into a beast on Friday nights. Câmara Cascudo recorded it across the country in 1947. Joanópolis, São Paulo state, now calls itself the 'werewolf capital'.
1947 CE · -22.93, -46.27 · status: legend
The account
The belief came from Portugal. In parts of Brazil a seventh son was traditionally baptised by his eldest brother or given a godparent to break the curse. The year marks Cascudo's survey, not the earliest record.