Gurita's Gripe

A horrifying lava formation in the Iji Islands that looks very much like a screaming child.

One of the popular tourist attractions of the Iji Islands is Gurita's Gripe - a natural lava formation that has hardened into a natural sculpture of black dukori that resembles a 20ft tall screaming child that seemingly failed to crawl away from a river of lava.

A Molten Myth

The tale behind the landmark suggests that this was a harsh lesson taught by the fiery octopus deity, Gurita, to punish the child for breaking many of the tenets of Guritism. The story goes that a mother brought her child to the slopes of the volcano to seek forgiveness, but the misbehaving child thrashed about violently, punching and kicking the whole way. So, Gurita used infernal heat to magnify the child into a monstrous size, then proceeded to wash them off of the island with a torrent of lava.
The lava engulfed the screaming child, who became encrusted in volcanic rock. A lifelong lesson and warning to future generations of children to be well behaved and listen to the teachings of Guritism or risk evoking Gurita's wrath.

Speculation

Tourists to the isle are a little sceptic of this tale, and some find it difficult to see the blob like formation as a child at all.
The legend of the story is true, although the formation itself is likely not. It's just a lava formation.
Every time the volcano erupts, the story is told anew with some poor soul who gets too close to the lava.

Alternative Names

The Screaming Sinner

Type

Natural Wonder

Parent Location

Isle of Gurita