La Siguanaba: The Horse Faced Woman

The myth of La Siguanaba is closely linked withMayan heritage — a haunting portrait of a beautiful woman in a white dress who emerges at night, beckoning to unsuspecting travelers or those who have transgressed societal norms. Passed down through generations, this legend bears the unique imprints of various cultures that have woven their distinct elements into its narrative. But who is La Siguanaba?

Modern Folklore

Picture the moonless nights in the Salvadoran countryside, where La Siguanaba prowls, captivating unwary travelers—often unfaithful men—near bodies of water. She appears as a near-nude figure, radiating an irresistible charm. She entices men with the promise of intimacy.

When she gets her victim along, her facade dissipates, revealing her true visage—a horse’s face. Some legends show her with huge deformed breasts that she beats on rocks to terrify her victims. Some succumb to sheer fright, while others are driven to madness. Those unfortunate enough to survive find themselves abandoned in the wilderness, condemned to wander until their inevitable demise.

Aztec Influence

In Central America, the tale of La Siguanaba maintains close ties to the ancient Aztec religion. La Siguanaba was originally known as Sihuehuet, translating to “beautiful woman.” Sihuehuet, a peasant woman, possessed an unparalleled beauty that could captivate even the gods themselves, including Tlaloc, the lord of the storm.

Sihuehuet ensnared Tlaloc, and bore him a child. But she apparently didn’t have any maternal inclinations. She neglected the child and cheated on Tlaloc when he went to war. 

Driven by an insatiable hunger for power, Sihuehuet plotted to eliminate Tlaloc and usurp his divine throne. Crafting a poisonous plan, she intended to assassinate him. Yet, the scheme backfired when it transformed Tlaloc into a monstrous entity that wreaked havoc upon the community.

Upon learning of La Siguanaba’s malevolent actions, Tlaloc sought aid from the mighty god Teotl. Teotl then cursed her with the epithet “Siguanaba,” meaning “hideous woman.” This curse warped her into the nightmarish figure with a horse-faced appearance. Her days are now spent laundering clothes by a river’s edge while endlessly searching for her lost son, trapped in her grotesque form as punishment for her past misdeeds.

Warding Off La Siguanaba

The best advice is to simply not be lured with the prospect of sex with a strange woman. But should you fall victim, here are some ways to protect yourself: 

  • Pull your hair
  • Bite into a machete, a metal coin, or a cross necklace

You can also scare her away by yelling three times: “no te vas a ir Maria, pata de gallina,” which means “you are not leaving, crabgrass Maria”.

Tim Kane

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Mètminwi: The Haitian Boogeyman

One boogeyman stands taller than all the rest—the towering Mètminwi. This mysterious Haitian boogeyman, rumored to be a colossal two stories in height, haunts the nocturnal streets, where tales of his appearance vary from incredibly long-legged to a giant with stilt-like limbs and arms.

Tales of the Twilight Terror

Throughout Haitian folklore, various renditions describe Mètminwi as a seclusive giant with haunting red eyes and a pale, frowning countenance. His haunting presence emerges precisely at midnight, and he is said to prowl the streets, indiscriminately catching and consuming any unfortunate soul still lingering outside, regardless of their behavior.

The Mètminwi’s story serves as a cautionary tale, instilling lessons about obedience, respect, and the consequences of defying the night’s rules. The legend is a tool to dissuade mischief and wandering after the witching hour, guiding the young to heed the warnings of their elders.

Understanding the Legend

While the descriptions of Mètminwi might vary, the central message remains consistent: he stands as a looming figure in the night, a warning against venturing out after midnight. Mètminwi name is a clever play on words, translated as “midnight master.” It’s a reminder that a midnight snack at home might be a safer choice than a moonlit stroll on the streets of Haiti.

Mètminwi, in essence, remains a steadfast reminder to all: the night belongs to the daring, but it also holds its own share of mysterious and cautionary tales.

Tim Kane

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The Creepy Mystery Behind the Seven O’clock Man

If you have a penchant for a creepy mystery, then Bonhomme Sept Heures, or the “Seven O’Clock Man,” will send shivers down your spine. This enigmatic figure from Quebecois folklore is the stuff of nightmares, a character woven into the fabric of childhood fears and parental warnings. But what makes Bonhomme Sept Heures one of the most intriguing and unsettling figures in folklore?

Getting Your Kid to Bed on Time

Bonhomme Sept Heures is a figure that looms large in the imagination of Quebecois children. The legend goes that if children misbehave and don’t heed their parents’ warnings, this eerie character will come to take them away precisely at 7 o’clock in the evening. It’s a chilling tale used to encourage good behavior and obedience in youngsters, and it’s not for the faint of heart.

To avoid angering this menacing figure, the Quebecois use the more amiable term “good man.” However, the true horror lies in the stark simplicity of the Seven O’Clock Man’s appearance – he’s just an ordinary man  with a heavy sack slung over his shoulders, a sack that is believed to be filled with terrified children. To shield himself from the biting cold of the night, he wears a heavy hat and a thick coat, adding an eerie layer to his appearance.

His sinister purpose becomes apparent when he sneaks into the bedrooms of children who are supposed to be sleeping. If he finds them awake, he seizes them and mercilessly stuffs them into his ominous sack. It’s said that all children who were unfortunate enough to be taken by this sinister figure were either consumed or mysteriously vanished, never to be reunited with their families again.

Historical Roots

The legend of Bonhomme Sept Heures has been passed down through generations in Quebec. It’s a classic example of folklore used to instill discipline and respect for authority, especially among children. The fear of the Seven O’Clock Man has been a powerful tool in teaching youngsters the importance of obeying their parents.

While the core concept of Bonhomme Sept Heures remains consistent, there are regional variations in Quebec. In some areas, he is known as “Bonhomme Neige,” a figure associated with winter and the importance of staying warm and safe during the cold season.

Interestingly, there are only a few variations of this spine-tingling tale, some of which have roots in other folklore, while others are the result of translations from English to French. In one version, the Seven O’Clock Man possesses powers akin to the Sandman, wielding magical sand that helps lull children to sleep when blown into their eyes. This particular variant seems to be a more recent addition, casting the Seven O’Clock Man in a somewhat benevolent light. It suggests a shift away from parents scaring their children into sleep and towards a more soothing method of ensuring a peaceful bedtime.

Bonhomme Sept Heures is more than just a creepy bedtime story; it’s a cultural touchstone in Quebec, serving as a reminder of the importance of good behavior and parental guidance. 

Tim Kane

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