Ecuadorian Urban Legends: Stories of a generation

The prologue of the book "Ecuadorian Urban Legends: Stories of a Generation, Volume 1" invites readers to explore the rich tradition of urban legends in Ecuador, highlighting their importance as part of the country's cultural heritage. The author reflects on how these stories, passed down from generation to generation, have shaped national identity and offers a moving look at their power to connect the past and present of Ecuadorian society, thus setting the stage for a fascinating journey through the mysterious narratives presented in the book.

The first chapter, "The Carbunco and its Treasure," delves into the rich tradition of Ecuadorian urban legends, presenting the fascinating story of a mythical creature known as the Carbunco, whose manifestations in different forms and regions of the Ecuadorian Sierra have shaped the cultural identity of the country. Described as a black dog or cat with a red crystal on its forehead and eyes that can paralyze anyone who sees them, the Carbuncle embodies the duality of blessing and curse, granting a treasure in the form of a golden ball encrusted with precious stones to those who receive it with gratitude and disinterest, while it punishes greed with the disappearance of treasure and suffering. This narrative, full of mystery and meaning, reflects the deep connection between urban legends and Ecuadorian collective identity, where the pure hearts are rewarded and the ambitious are punished, taking the reader on a captivating journey through culture and history. of the country.

The legend of "Colambo and Ahuaca" tells of the rivalry between two hills, where Colambo, boasting wealth, and Ahuaca, apparently less favored, face each other in a battle of egos. After an epic fight, the Colambo loses everything beautiful due to his arrogance, while the Ahuaca wins what really matters. The moral highlights how vanity leads to loss, while humility can lead to true wealth.

The legend of the Chupacabra, a fearsome creature described as a small animal covered in hair with sharp claws and red eyes that glowed like flames, spread terror in our region. It was said to come out of hiding in the dead of night to feed on the blood of animals, leaving them without a drop and with mysterious marks on their necks. One night, great-grandfather, while watching over his flock, confronted this creature, shooting it with his shotgun when he saw it eating one of his sheep. Although the Chupacabra disappeared after this encounter, the legend endures as a mystery rooted in our tradition.

In Arenillas, in 1941, the enigmatic "Cábula" appeared, whose real name was Don Belisario Mora Carpio. With unique skills in gambling, he accumulated wealth, fueling rumors of a pact with the devil. After his mysterious death, his residence was deserted, generating speculation about his legacy. Years later, a woman claimed to be his long-lost sister, sparking a dispute over his inheritance. Although his residence is now a candy store, locals whisper of Cábula's laments, suggesting that the pact with the devil continues to haunt his legacy in the shadows of Arenillas.

At the Eduardo Rivas Ayora Coliseum, René and Daniel met the mysterious "Lady of Guabizhun." After a scare caused by a gust of wind, René performed a protection ritual and saw the lady, a witch who revealed her secret of meeting with others in a lagoon in Guabizhun during the nights of the full moon. Despite the initial fear, the lady told them about her life and promised not to bother them again. René and Daniel agreed to keep the meeting secret, thus sealing their commitment to silence about the mysteries of Guabizhun.

In Huaquillas, the legend of the "White Tree" tells the story of a humble family and the brave dog, “Lucesita”. After her tragic death, saving the family's youngest daughter, Lucesita was buried in the patio, where a white tree grew. It is said that this tree, visible only to children, is a gift from the deceased wife “Rosa”, to protect and care for her family from the afterlife, transmitting peace and eternal love.

The legend of "The Stone of Pungo-Huayco". In an attempt to cross the Santa Bárbara River, some little devils tried to carry a gigantic stone from the La Unión parish to the Las Cuadras sector, but they failed and the stone was trapped in Pungo-Huayco. It is said that devils live in the stone and that voices are heard near it at night, which led some people to make pacts with the devil in search of fortune. The locals, disturbed by the voices, placed a cross on top of the stone, thus bringing peace to the community and putting an end to the disturbing murmurs.

The legend of "La Tunda Margarita" tells of the arrival of a circus to El Tambo, where a bear named Margarita escapes from her cage. Despite the initial scare, Margarita is found by her trainer and becomes a heritage figure of the canton. Dressed in cowhide and a bear mask, Margarita is an important part of the local culture. Every year, during the Christmas season, the inhabitants dress up as the Tunda Margarita and walk the streets, juggling and answering questions about local traditions, while the tamer receives financial contributions from the community, thus ensuring the continuity of this beautiful tradition.

The Widow of Farms. In the parish of Chacras, tragedy struck Carmen, a dedicated widowed mother whose life changed forever after a brutal encounter with a taxi driver. Since then, the residents of Huaquillas whisper about a mysterious lady who appears at the intersection, luring drivers to their tragic fate. The brave people who face this macabre vision find themselves in nothingness, leaving only an echo of the tragedy that still resonates in the legend of "The Widow of Chacras."

Taita Buerán and Mama Zhinzhona. In Quinoapata, the "Taita Buerán" is a sacred place where the lack of rain can lead to death from hunger and thirst. He is said to take human form, rewarding kind people with part of his wealth. When he fights with his wife, Mama Zhinzhona, the fog and cold dominate the hill. Encounters with Taita Buerán are rare, but those who are worthy can enter his house on the hill and be rewarded. Mama Zhinzhona, jealous, punishes the intruders by sending waves and thunder to drown them in the lagoons that surround her hill. Farmers ask the Taita Buerán for permission before planting, believing that his approval guarantees a good harvest, while his rejection results in devastating frosts.

The Legend of the Virgin of Rocío. In the canton of Biblián, province of Cañar, stands the Zhalao hill, home of the sanctuary of the Virgen del Rocío, whose origin dates back to 1893. During a devastating drought, the community, desperate due to the scarcity of water and food, resorted to the prayer. A priest, together with the locals, implored a small image of the Virgin, placing it in a cave on the hill. On January 20, 1894, a drop of water marked the beginning of the miracle. The drought ceased, the crops revived and the grateful community built a sanctuary in honor of the Virgen del Rocío, becoming a destination of pilgrimage and devotion to this day.

The Crash Lagoon. In the Azogues canton, San Marcos parish, is the Chocar lagoon, a place for fishing and tourism. The legend dates back to the San Rodrigo hacienda in the 1860s, where Chocar, a young worker, fell in love with the boss “Don Rodrigo Peralta”. When she became pregnant, she was rejected and her son, Jesús Rodrigo, was murdered. Heartbroken, Chocar drowned in the lagoon, and since then it is said that she sinks 3-year-old children who approach its shore. Locals avoid visiting it with children and consider it a cursed place.

The San José Bridge. In the area between Azogues and Biblián, the San José Bridge keeps a mysterious legend. During the weekend nights, festivities were held where the talented musician Mr. Castro, hired to play his concertina, had an unusual experience. After a journey that took him to an unknown location, he spent three days playing for an otherworldly audience. Upon returning, he discovered that the money he had earned had been transformed into leaves, disconcerting everyone and fueling beliefs about the magic of the bridge.

Maria the Guagua. In the 70s, in Cuenca, María was desperately looking for work. Employed by a demanding boss, she became pregnant after a tragic incident and was fired. Without a home or help, she gave birth on the street, losing her son shortly after. In her pain, she turned a rag into a doll, called "María la Guagua", clinging to her maternal love even in madness, while the neighbors mocked.

The Ghost of Malecón 2000. On an October night in 1987, a couple decides to walk along the Malecón 2000 in Guayaquil. As they walk toward the dock, they encounter a series of mysterious occurrences, including lanterns going out and cockroaches heading toward an antique box with an ominous seal. By touching the seal, they unleash a supernatural event that leads them to an encounter with a female ghost. In a desperate attempt to save his beloved, the young man seals away the evil, but at a high price: his own soul. Today, it is said that his lament can still be heard at night on Malecón 2000.

The Macaws. In ancient times, during a great flood in Azuay and Cañar, two brothers survived by taking refuge in a cave. Surprised by mysterious delicacies, they discovered that two macaws were transformed into beautiful women. Grateful, they married the brothers, repopulating the region and turning the macaws into sacred birds.

Naún Briones: The Lojano Justice. Naún Briones, born more than a century ago in the province of Loja, became a symbol of the fight against injustice. From his youth, he faced poverty and abuse, which led him to join a gang of bandits. After years of success, he returned to his town to take revenge on those who had mistreated him and help those in need. With courage and determination, Naun became a leader who robbed the rich to help the poor, taking justice for himself. Despite his love for Dolores and his home in Sozoranga, he was persecuted by law enforcement and ended up committing suicide in 1935, leaving a legacy divided between the love of the people and the hatred of the rich.

Los Gagones: Legend of the Ecuadorian Sierra. The legend of the Gagones in the Ecuadorian Sierra narrates the presence of mythical creatures that embody the lost souls of those who had forbidden relationships, such as incest or between compadres. These entities, which initially resemble dog puppies at dawn and transform into dark black beings at night, seek help in neighboring homes and can only be assisted by pure souls, marking those who touch them with impurity on their faces. knees, highlighting the importance of respect and harmony in the region's ancestral culture.

The legend of "El Borracho" tells the tragic story of Emiliano, a man whose life was marked by excessive alcohol consumption and the terrible consequences that this brought. Trapped in a cycle of excesses and bad decisions, Emiliano ended up causing the death of an innocent woman in a traffic accident while driving under the influence of alcohol. Although he attempted to flee the repercussions of his actions, his conscience and the ghostly figure of the deceased woman tormented him until the end, leading him to a premature and lonely death. This legend serves as a warning about the dangers of alcoholism and the importance of making responsible decisions in life.

The legend of "The Enchanted Lagoon of Saguin" tells how a couple of soldiers are trapped by the charm of the lagoon during their trip. The soldier's wife mysteriously disappears while she is combing her hair by the lagoon. Despite the soldier's attempts to save her, the woman never returns. Since then, the lagoon continues to attract travelers with its charm, revealing its true nature only at noon, when it shows a fleeting glimpse of the missing woman.

La leyenda de Pailarumi narra la historia de un cerro habitado por los Incas, quienes adoraban una gran Olla de Oro como símbolo de riqueza. Los españoles, al enterarse de esto, planean saquear las riquezas de los Incas y los atacan. Sin embargo, cuando intentan llevarse la Olla de Oro, una tormenta feroz cae sobre ellos. Un rayo golpea la olla, haciéndola desaparecer en la tierra. Los españoles regresan horrorizados y el lugar recibe el nombre de Pailarumi, donde se dice que permanece el agujero dejado por la olla perdida.

La leyenda del Taxista del Crucifijo narra la experiencia de Arturo, un taxista conocido por llevar consigo un crucifijo de madera en sus viajes nocturnos. Una noche, un pasajero misterioso le pide ir al puente San José, donde se abre una montaña revelando un lujoso interior. Al recibir tres monedas de oro como pago, Arturo ve al pasajero transformarse en un ser espeluznante. Con su crucifijo, logra escapar del puente que se desmorona, liberando a las personas encadenadas que eran ovejas y convirtiendo las monedas en excremento. Arturo agradece a Dios por salvarlo y la historia se convierte en una leyenda que ahuyenta a otros taxistas de la zona.

Pigs with red eyes. In the quiet "El Calvario" neighborhood of Azogues, an ancient legend was whispered about pigs with red eyes, possessed by evil spirits. According to what they say, a young witch named Magdaleno performed dark rituals to transfer these spirits to the pigs of the Elegremana farmer. On full moon nights, the pigs became restless and their eyes took on a red hue, triggering strange phenomena in the town. The fearful villagers banded together to search for an amulet that would break the connection between the spirits and the pigs. After finding it and performing a ritual, they managed to free the pigs from the evil influence, but the legend persists as a warning about the dark forces that can hide even in apparent tranquility.

The Legend of Urku Tayta. In the remote neighborhood "El Calvario" of Azogues, the legend of Urku Tayta kept the inhabitants in suspense. According to what they say, a couple separated on the route to Chaguanapamba and the wife was supposedly kidnapped by the guardian of the route, Urku Tayta, the sacred mountain. In a dream, she instructed her husband on how to defeat him: with a machete, while he was sleeping at midnight. After the birth of their son, they left him in the Espíndola ravine, where he mysteriously disappeared. According to oral tradition, the boy grew up in a cave in the ravine, protecting the place with the machete that was never stained with blood again. The story of Urku Tayta endures as a reminder of the mysterious forces that lurk in the dark nights of the Cañar.

The Legend of María Angula. María Angula, a naughty girl from a town in Ecuador, decided to trick her mother by not buying tripe as she had asked her to do. Instead, he dug up the guts of a recently deceased person from the cemetery and brought them home. However, that night, a ghost visited her demanding that she return the guts stolen from her grave. Since then, María Angula disappeared without a trace, becoming an unsolved legend in the region.

The Meeting on the Cross. Since my childhood, stories of witches in Paccha were common, but I never thought I would witness something so terrifying. One night, with friends at the "La Cruz" viewpoint, we heard strange sounds and saw a dark and distorted figure dancing in the starry sky. The atmosphere was filled with tension as the figure approached the town, leaving us trapped in a trance of amazement and terror, facing a reality that defied all explanation.

The Guabishun Lagoon. Near the town of Solano, the Castillo hacienda, owned by the wealthiest family, contrasted with the humility of the García family. When Álvaro García's daughter fell ill, he sought help at the hacienda, but was rejected. Upon returning home, a storm flooded the ranch, taking the entire Castillo family with it. The next day, a lagoon had replaced the hacienda, and the night whispers spoke of the family's laments. Since then, the Guabishun lagoon is feared, believing that the soul of Don Manuel stalks it.

Tembladera Lagoon. In Bellavista, José Araujo encounters a mysterious light next to the lagoon. An old woman offers him a choice between her and her golden comb. By opting for the comb, he saves himself from an uncertain fate. The next day, José thanks him for his choice, understanding that not everything that glitters is gold.

Secret of the Waterfall. In Santa Isabel, the waterfall witnesses a nocturnal transformation, where creatures emerge and ask for tributes. The light under the bridge leaves everyone wondering if it is the portal to their home. The community wonders about this phenomenon, fueling intrigue and amazement.

The Mysteries of a Golden City - "The Three Picachos". The mountain of Los Tres Picachos hides an unattainable golden city, shrouded in mysteries and dangers. Over the centuries, it has captivated explorers and dreamers, defying greed and ambition with its jealously guarded secrets.

In short, these fascinating stories transport us to worlds full of mystery, magic and suspense. From the disturbing legend of the Guabishun Lagoon to the enigma of Los Tres Picachos, each story immerses us in a universe where the supernatural is intertwined with the everyday, leaving an indelible mark on our imagination.

 Do you dare to delve into these fascinating stories and discover the secrets they contain? Immerse yourself in reading this book and let yourself be enveloped by the mystery that awaits on each page. Get ready for an unforgettable experience full of excitement and suspense!

Larry Torres