Duende (mythology)
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A duende is a fairy- or goblin-like mythological character. While its nature varies throughout Spain and Latin America, in many cases its closest equivalents known in the Anglophone world are the Irish leprechaun and the Scottish brownie or the Swedish Tomte (possible old castilian "Donde"). As Federico García Lorca uses the term, it seems closer to fairy as a realm of being. Duendes may also have some traits similar to goblins and kobolds.
The word is often considered to be Spanish equivalent of the English word, "sprite" or the Japanese word, yokai and is used as an umbrella term for any fairy-like being such as goblins, pixies and elves.
The word is also used in Portuguese folklore, being used to describe goblins, pixies, brownies and leprechauns. They are believed to be of a small stature wearing big hats whistling a mystical song while walking in the forest. Using their talent they are believed to lure young girls to the forest and causing them to lose their way home. Conversely, in some Latin cultures the Duendes are believed to be the helpers of people who get lost in the forest so they could find their way home. In folklore of the Central American country of Belize, particularly amongst the country's African/Carib-descended Creole and Garifuna populations, Duende are thought of as a forest spirit called "Tata Duende" who lacks thumbs[1]
In Hispanic folklore of the American Southwest, Duendes are known as evil, green-skinned, red-eyed little monsters who live inside the walls of homes, especially in bedroom walls of young children. They attempt to convince children to misbehave, and will eventually try to steal a child's soul. [2]
Chamorro people believe in tales of taotaomonas, duendes and other spirits. Duende, according to the Chamorro-English Dictionary by Donald Topping, Pedro Ogo and Bernadita Dungca, is a goblin, elf, ghost or spook in the form of a dwarf, a mischievous spirit which hide or take small children. Taotaomona are spirits of the ancient Chamorro that act as guardians to banyan trees. White Lady hauntings surround buildings like the old Bordallo mansion in Yona, schools, hotel elevators and the Maina bridge.[3]
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ Emmons (1997).
- ^ See retelling in Garza (2004, pp.2–11).
- ^ Guampdn.com, Ghost stories: Taotaomona, duendes and other spirits inhabit Guam
[edit] References
- Emmons, Katherine M. (October 1997). "Perceptions of the Environment while Exploring the Outdoors: a case study in Belize". Environmental Education Research 3 (3): pp.327–344. Ambingdon, Oxfordshire: Carfax Publishing, in conjunction with the University of Bath. doi:. ISSN 1350-4622. OCLC 34999650.
- Garza, Xavier (2004). Creepy Creatures and other Cucuys, Piñata Books imprint, Houston, TX: Arte Público Press. ISBN 155885410X. OCLC 54537415.
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