Growing up in Central America is a culture teeming with oral traditions in Latin American Legends, no matter which country you visit. Each culture has their own local folklore, while some of them even share similar stories with slight differentiations amongst their own cultures. As these stories were passed down via the oral traditions, many of them end with a moral being taught.
While there are dozens and dozens of legends -which we will get into in other articles – this particular article will highlight six of the most terrifying Latin American Legends talked about in central America.
The Legend of El Sombrerón
Most famously known in Guatemala:
El Sombrerón is a folktale from Guatemala, particularly recognized in Antigua, featuring a short man in black who enchants young women with large eyes and long dark hair by braiding their hair and serenading them. He is accompanied by a horse and black dogs, and once a woman falls under his spell, she becomes unable to eat or sleep. The tale serves to warn girls against wandering off with strangers at night, especially without parental permission.
Chicas, watch out for el Sombrerón…
The Legend of Madre Monte
Most Famously known in Colombia:
Madre Monte is a mythical figure in Colombia, particularly in Antioquia and Caldes, rooted in indigenous culture. She is depicted as a tall woman cloaked in green moss and leaves, with her hair intertwined with plants and snakes. As a protector of nature, she communicates with animals and governs the elements. Madre Monte punishes land thieves, disrespectful cattle owners, and various wrongdoers by causing them to get lost or vanish.
Respect nature or Madre Monte will come to get you…
The Legend of La Carreta Nagua
Most famously known in Nicaragua:
La Carreta Nagua is a legend that warns of a wooden cart that travels through the towns around 1:00 AM, pulled by two skeletal oxen and guided by the Grim Reaper. It is said that if anyone is awake or in the street when the cart passes, they are claimed by the Grim Reaper and taken to the Underworld.
It is also believed that the passage of La Carreta Nagua announces the death of a person, as those who hear it often discover that a citizen of the town has died the following day. This legend is based on the history of slavery and the colonization of native tribes, recalling how natives would hide from the advancing Spaniards who sought to capture them.
If you enjoyed this cultural hearted article on Latin American Legends, check out some of our other Literary content at The Ritual blog thread here.
The Legend of La Siguanaba
Most famously known in El Salvador:
La Siguanaba is a character that appears as a beautiful woman with an attractive body and long hair, but her face resembles that of a mare. The legend says she appears at night, especially to men who seduce women and brag about their conquests.
Men see her from behind and follow her, until La Siguanaba turns around, scaring them or driving them mad with her appearance. She is often seen bathing in the river at night. To protect their souls from La Siguanaba, it is said that men must bite a metal cross and pray to God.
Be careful boys with what you do, or else the Siguanaba will come to haunt you…
The Legend of El Familiar
Most famously known in Argentina:
Originating from the sugar plantations in Salta, Tuchman, and Jujuy, there is a legend that the Argentinian government once faced economic troubles. This downturn meant significant losses for sugar plantation owners. To avoid the impact of the crisis, these owners decided to partner with the devil.
In exchange for wealth and protection for their sugar fields, the owners had to offer a yearly sacrifice of one of their workers to the devil. The owners would choose the worker, who would then be taken and devoured by the devil. Some say the devil took the form of a large rabid dog, while others claimed it appeared as a giant viper with cat-like eyes.
The devil was said to lurk near the plantations, living in basements to ensure the yearly sacrifice was made. Legend has it that the dog continues to roam the sugar plantations in search of victims.
The Legend of Chupacabras
Most Famously known in Puerto Rico:
This legend began in Puerto Rico in 1995, when reports emerged of the Chupacabra attacking animals. Chickens, goats, and sheep were found dead, drained of blood and with wounds on their necks. Known as “goat sucker” in Spanish, Chupacabra sightings spread to Mexico, Central and South America, and various states in the U.S., including Texas, Florida, and Maine.
The creature is often described as lizard-like, walking on strong hind legs, with large eyes, fangs, a forked tongue, and sharp spines from its neck to its tail. Others say it resembles a hairless dog with sharp spines.
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