The legends of the Boto-cor-de-rosa (Pink River Dolphin) originate in the Amazonas, in the northern region of Brazil. It is said that during the June festivities (celebrating the days of Saint Anthony, Saint John, and Saint Peter), when everyone is distracted, the Boto appears in the form of a handsome and elegant young man, who wears a hat to cover a hole in his head where his blowhole, similar to that of a dolphin, is located. He seduces the first young woman he encounters, takes her to the depths of the river, impregnates her, and never returns. During these festivities, when a man is seen wearing a hat, people ask him to remove it so as not to mistake him for the Boto. And when a young woman becomes pregnant without knowing who the father is, it is said to be "the child of the Boto."
In many communities, it is believed that the Boto has the power to harm a person with just a glance, causing physical and/or mental illnesses. It is also told that women should not swim in the river or ride in boats while menstruating. Anthropologist Eduardo Galvão (1921-1976) collected in field interviews, "the Boto is attracted to menstruating women. During this period, women should avoid traveling in canoes or getting close to rivers or streams," because menstruation attracts the Boto, who can enchant or cause harm. These legends have also become associated with real and complex social issues in communities, such as harassment and sexual violence.