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Revision as of 16:52, 7 April 2008 by Lilith (talk | contribs) (New page: A '''duende''' is a goblin-like creature in Latin American folklore. The term also apply more broadly to all sort sort of fairy races (elves, goblins, pixies, brownies, leprechauns...). =...)
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A duende is a goblin-like creature in Latin American folklore. The term also apply more broadly to all sort sort of fairy races (elves, goblins, pixies, brownies, leprechauns...).

Etymology

Possible from the old castilian 'Donde'.

Description

Duende are believed to be ugly creatures of a small stature wearing big hats. They are usually more heard than seen as they usually whistle a song while walking in the forest.

Behavior

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 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.

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.

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.

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:10.1080/1350462970030306. 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.


Sources

Part of this article consists of modified text from Wikipedia, and the article is therefore licensed under GFDL.