You might have thought that mermaids were mythological creatures... but in these parts of the jungle they are considered very real and very dangerous. There is the common belief that whole cities and even huge empires of mermaids live in the deepest parts of the rivers. These half human / half fish creatures have supposedly been seen by many people. I have a good friend who is totally convinced that, as a child, he saw a fishermen catch a mermaid in his net and then put her on display in the main square of Yurimaguas. This man is not crazy, he is very respected and known as extremely honest. Was he imagining things? Was it one of those childhood dreams that you end up thinking was real?

I talked to one man who claimed to have seen a beautiful female mermaid sitting on the beach and combing her hair. He couldn't resist the temptation to see who she was and when he drew near she grabbed him and took him underwater to the mermaid kingdom where he was imprisoned for 100 years. He finally escaped and got back to our above-water-world and to his own village where just one year of time had gone by.... He's not the only one that claims such an outlandish experience. Many, many men have supposedly disappeared because they saw a beautiful mermaid and then got too close. 

Contrary to the popular opinion around here, I don't believe that these stories are true. But one thing is for sure; these beliefs about mermaids are a great illustration of the warnings found in Proverbs 7:21-26:

“With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, With her flattering lips she seduced him. Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, Till an arrow struck his liver. As a bird hastens to the snare, He did not know it would cost his life. Now therefore, listen to me, my children; Pay attention to the words of my mouth: Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, Do not stray into her paths; For she has cast down many wounded,
And all who were slain by her were strong men.”