Aguara

Aguara is a mythological fox found in the traditions of the Ava Guaraní and the Chané peoples.

In oral narratives, he is often given the sacred honorific tunpa and referred to as Aguara-tunpa. Like many trickster figures, Aguara embodies both mischief and creativity. At times he is portrayed as malicious, yet he also plays the role of a cultural hero who brings important gifts to humanity. One story credits him with stealing algarroba seeds from the Viscacha, while another tells how he captured Vulture and demanded rubber as ransom, thereby introducing rubber to mankind.

Aguara frequently appears alongside his rival, Tatu-tunpa, a mythological armadillo. Their conflicts form a central theme of many tales, culminating in Aguara’s eventual slaying of Tatu-tunpa. He also interacts with humans directly, deceiving them or seducing women, who then gave birth to his children.

In the sky, Aguara is linked with the constellation Scorpius, where the curve of the scorpion’s tail was said to mark the boundary of his farming corral.