While I was walking in the kitchen for my morning coffee a few weeks ago, I had the feeling that something was wrong. Then, I saw it: a mountain of sales receipts, business cards, grocery lists and other various pieces of paper stacked on one of my two sofas.
The question came to my mind immediately. Did I have a Duende? I had heard of in the years of Mexicans. Duends lived in their house, played pranks on them or followed them at home. They were invisible, but they were there. In Latin America, the duals are mythological creatures similar to gnomes considered as the real owners of a house. Mexican duals would be two to three feet high, with pointed elf -shaped ears, piercing red eyes that shine in the night and no thumbs.
What does Duends look like? It depends on where you live
Duende legend has roots in Iberian and Aboriginal American cultures. In Europe, the idea of a Duende is linked to Roman household gods such as the Lares and the Penats, and speech in Spanish would be a contraction of “Dueño de la Casa”: the owner of the house, which is really the mind. Similar European household minds include Scottish Brownie, German Kobold and Slave Domovoy.
With the rise of Christianity, Duends and their cousins have become considered as sinister spirits. They are associated with the darker and supernatural side of life, sometimes representing death and the unknown. Duends can be mischievous and elusive; Whether benevolent or malicious seem to depend on where you live and the beliefs of your community.
Through the ocean, the ancient peoples of the Americas have developed their own beliefs on small supernatural beings. The Nahuas of central Mexico knew the minds of nature called “Chanelle Ohuican” or “inhabitants in dangerous places”. While the good channels lived near human populations and were harmless jokes, bad channels lived in forests and caves and could steal children or make travelers lose.
For some Mayan peoples of the Yucatán peninsula, creatures called Alux are another little humanoid spirit that can be both useful and a nuisance in turn. A farmer can call on a food to take care of his milpa (cornfield) by building a miniature house for her on his land and by offering him part of his harvest, as well as other sacred foods. An ignition not properly compensated for its help can become nasty and damage a harvest. In February 2023, the president of the time, Andrés, Manuel López Obrador, made the headlines when he suggested that a Alux had been spotted during the construction of the Mayan train.
In some parts of Mexico, Duends lives within the walls of a house. Young neglected children are warned that Duends likes to collect long nails and could accidentally cut a whole toe when they go out at night. In Belize, Duends plays tips on people designed to make them leveraged or cause confusion, losing them in the woods. In others Places where they are benevolent, considered as guards coming to the aid of children and blocked hikers. However, if you kill animals or to a mischief, Duends will punish you.
Household downs are generally benevolent. If they love you, they can leave small gifts or perform useful tasks around the house while you sleep. However, if you miss or angry them, they can hide your personal effects, play pranks on you or create a disturbance in the house.
Duends can also bring creativity. “Tenner Duende ”means having a soul, an increased feeling of expression, emotions and a heart. For artists, a Duende is a sign of inspiration because of their magical powers.
Learn to live with your household Duende
Duends is rarely seen because of their agility and speed. They are most often reported as being considered during the Lent season and Good Friday. They can be recognized by a piercing whistle and their bright red eyes. Sometimes they come out of the woods, sing and then hide if a curious person is looking for the source of music. If you see a Duende, it is advisable to protect yourself by hiding your thumbs so that they think you are part of it.
Is Duends real or simply part of folklore? I asked a friend of Mexican historian. “Duends is part of Mexican folklore for as long as I remember,” he said, “but I have never seen it.”
“Have you ever heard of theft?” I asked him. His answer was quite categorical: absolutely not. Never fly. However, they like to play pranks. “I think you have had a human duty in your home,” he said. “A thief.”
It therefore seems that my Duende was only a thief who entered my house at night in a way while I was sleeping, by making with my mobile phone, my laptop, my species, my credit cards and the food of the pantry. Since Duends can play a farce or hide it from objects, but do not fly, it must have been a thief. But as Duends is also supposed to protect the house, I may have a bigger problem in my hands.
Sheryl Loster is a former director of public relations, researcher, writer and editor -in -chief. She has written professionally for 35 years. She moved to Mazatlán in 2021 and worked part -time by making an independent writing. It can be reached Autorsheryllosser @ gmail.
