I was scared of the dark. I was terrified of things under my bed. One time, as a kid, I heard my own heartbeat and it scared me. I was a chicken when I was young. Perhaps it was all the legends my parents used to tell me or the episodes of “Unsolved Mysteries.” Either way, I knew more stories about how I was destined to die at the hands of mysterious creatures, than I did fairy tales. Now it’s time I pass on those legends to you. As if we needed more nightmare fuel… Here are some scary legends that we Latino kids grew up terrified of.
EL CHUPACABRA
Description: A canine-type creature, mostly hairless, with red eyes. They have been reported as both large and small, depending on location.
Origin Location: Puerto Rico
Legend: Not to be confused with a famous Taco Bell cuisine, this is an animal known as the “Goat Sucker.” Though this hungry little devil is not picky. This monstrous creature attacks goats, sheep, and other domestic animals. It drinks their blood – leaving only a carcass behind. The chupacabra only recently joined the vampire in the bestiary of bloodsucking creatures.
LA LLORONA
Description: A weeping woman, often seen in a white dress with long black hair. Some versions report her having the bones of her dead children embedded in her backbone. Some versions report that she is wearing a hood or veil.
Origin Location: Mexico
Legend: A beautiful woman named Maria had two beautiful sons. Her husband became unfaithful, and in a fit of jealousy and rage, she lured her sons down to a river and drowned them. Coming out of her rage, she realized what she had done and drowned herself. Maria’s ghost, now La Llorona, is forced to wander the Earth searching for her lost sons. She can be identified by her loud, wailing cries. Eerily, her wails are often said to sound more distant the closer she is to her victims. This story is used to dissuade children from staying out late or misbehaving. In some versions, she appears to mothers and steals their children, mistaking them for her own. In all versions, she should be avoided at all costs.
EL SOMBRERÓN
Description: A man wearing an enormous black hat, dressed entirely in black, except for ornamental boots, a belt, and other fancy adornments.
Origin: Guatemala
Legend: El Sombreron arrives in town with a pack of mules and looks for a woman with long hair and pretty eyes. He loves to braid the hair of horses. If there are no horses, then dogs. When he can’t find them, he follows young women with large eyes and long hair. When he finds a woman that suits his tastes, he ties his mules up outside her house and serenades her with a silver guitar. When he gets her back home, he’s known to serve her soil for dinner, rendering her unable to sleep. He keeps them awake forever. This story is likely used to scare young girls into obeying their parents and discouraging them from flirtations with menfolk. Be a lady, or eat dirt.
DUNEDES
Description: A little less than two feet tall. There are males and females, but they look very similar. They don’t wear clothes, are covered in long hair, and the males sometimes grow beards. (Reminiscent of the Bridgewater Triangle Pukwudgies.)
Origin: Honduras
Legend: These creatures are like fairies, goblins, or elves. They typically dwell in the jungle, and their diet consists of fruits, like figs. They are mischievous, so they can be good or bad depending on the situation. They are very protective of their homes and the boundaries they have created to live in. If you upset them, you will be tortured mercilessly. According to some legends, only children can see Dunedes, and Dunedes are known to like children and will often help a scared or lost child who calls them.
EL CUCO/ COCO/ CUCUY /BOOGEYMAN
Description: Some describe him as a shape-shifter, allowing him to adapt to any situation. He’s sometimes described as a dark and shadowy figure. Sometimes, he has glowing eyes, hair, or long claws/ fingers.
Origin: Latin America and Hispanic Cultures.
Legend: There is no one legend for El Cuco. El Cuco is everywhere. He has many shapes, and he has no shapes. He is stealthy and deceitful. He is menacing and malevolent. He could be anything. That makes El Cuco the perfect disciplinary tool for children. He is a monster, or ghost, that preys on disobedient children, especially those who misbehave or refuse to sleep. Parents and caregivers may warn children that if they don’t behave, El Cuco will come to get them. Every culture has its version, and most parents do, too. It’s coo-coo not to respect El Cuco.
One legend that is a little less cryptic is… POPOCATEPETL & IZTACCÍHUATL
Origin: Mexico
Legend: One of my favorite legends is a tragic love story from Mexico dating back to the Aztecs in the 14th Century. The legend involves two real volcanoes named Popocatepetl (Popo) & Iztaccíhuatl (Izta). They are close to Mexico City. Legend has it that long ago, there was a warrior, Popo, and a beautiful princess, Izta, whose love was legendary. Popo was called off to war, but before he went, he asked Izta’s father, the Chief, for Izta’s hand in marriage. The chief agreed happily and promised to celebrate their union when Popo returned. Popo went to war knowing he would be reunited with his love upon his arrival. A jealous rival of Popo, hoping to win the princess’s affection, decided to cross Popo and win Izta by falsely telling her that Popo was dead. Izta, upon hearing, died of grief, despite Popo being alive and well on the battlefield. Returning home, Popo heard of Izta’s demise and was determined to honor Izta. Popo constructed an immense tomb by forming a colossal mountain to symbolize his eternal love and devotion. Atop this mountain, Popo gently placed his love’s body and knelt before her for the rest of his life, forever guarding her slumber. From that moment on, they would spend eternity facing each other. They transformed into two colossal volcanoes. Legend has it that when Popocateptel recalls the unjust death of Iztaccíhuatl, his fiery rage erupts from his volcano. Her volcano remains forever silent.
There are so many great legends and lore. These are a few of my favorites and a few of the most common. If you’re curious about more, take a look. It’s in a book. Just make sure to read it in the light. Otherwise, the Chupa-rona-som-dun-Cuco will get you. •
