Mexican Folklore ROOTED IN EAST AUSTIN CULTURE
ISSA GALVAN
mexican folklore rooted in east austin culture issa galvan
mexican folklore
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table of contents
table of contents
introduction la llorona pregnant women
& an eclipse
don juan manuel dreaming falling teeth red hiccups curanderas the money hand juan diego
& la virgen de guadalupe
ghost of our lady of guadalupe church el cucuy la lechuza the evil eye hair
& an eclipse
4 5 9 11 15 16 18 20 21 26 27 29 31 33
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mexican folklore
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introduction
introduction The Mexican culture is deeply rooted within our very own east Austin soil. It has become the hub for Mexican food to the best party suppliers. But, slowly these simple, cultural aspects that have become so important to this community are diminishing along east Cesar Chavez. A change of interest in every generation that follows and a city who thrives on youthful, innovative ideas is causing a change that is over-stepping a community who tries to preserve their culture and heritage—anything reminding them of their native country of Mexico. But when all is done and gone, what do they have to fall back on? We can take away landmarks, we can convert a taco stand to a coffee trailer, but their Mexican legends, tales and superstitions passed on from generation to generation are far from gone. Follow me through a cultural journey of legends and superstitions through the stories of a variety of images captured in our very own east Austin neighborhood.
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mexican folklore
La Llorona Long years ago in a humble east side neighborhood lived a beautiful looking girl named Marie. Some would say she was the most beautiful girl in the world and fell madly in love. But the affection of others, made her feel superior to everyone around her. As Maria grew older, her beauty grew with her and her pride flustered. When she was a young woman, she would not even look at the young men from her neighborhood. She would constantly complain that they were not good enough for her. She constantly stated, “When I marry, I will marry the most handsome man in the world.” And then one day, through Willow Lane rode a man who seemed to be just the one she had been talking about— tall and brown skinned. He was a dashing young ranchero, the son of a wealthy rancher from the Texas hill country who could ride like a Comanche. In fact, if he owned a horse, and it grew tamed, he would give it away and go rope a wild horse from the plains. He thought it wasn’t manly to ride a horse if it wasn’t half wild. He was handsome and he could play the guitar and sing beautifully. Maria made up her mind.
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la llorona
She had decided he was the man for her. She knew just the tricks to win over his attention. If the ranchero spoke when they met on the pathway, she would turn her head away. When he came to her house in the evening to play his guitar and serenade her, she wouldn’t even come to the window. She refused all his costly gifts. The young man fell for her tricks. “That haughty girl, Maria, Maria! “ he said to himself. “I know I can win her heart. I swear I’ll marry that girl.” And so everything turned out as Maria planned. Before long, she and the ranchero became engaged and soon they were married. At first, things were fine. They had two children and they seemed to be a happy family together. But after a few years, the ranchero went back to the wild life of the prairies hanging at the corners of Cesar Chavez. He would leave town and be gone for months at a time. And when he returned home, it was only to visit his children. He seemed to care nothing for the beautiful Maria. He even talked of setting Maria aside and marrying a woman of his own wealthy class.
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mexican folklore
As proud as Maria was, of course she became very angry with the ranchero. She also began to feel anger toward her children, because he paid attention to them, but just ignored her. One evening, as Maria was strolling with her two children on the shady pathway near the river, the ranchero came by in a carriage. An elegant lady sat on the seat beside him. He stopped and spoke to his children, but he didn’t even look at Maria. He whipped the horses on up the street. When she saw that, a terrible rage filled Maria, and it all turned against her children. She quickly walked towards Colorado River and threw her children in. But as they disappeared down the stream, she realized what she had done. She ran down the bank of the river, reaching out her arms to them. It was too late. The next morning, a traveler brought word to the streets of Cesar Chavez that a beautiful woman laid dead on the bank of the river. That is where they found Maria, and they laid her to rest where she had fallen. But the first night Maria was in the grave, those nearby heard the sound of crying down by the river. It was not the wind, it was La Llorona crying, “Where are my children?�.
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la llorona
And they saw a woman walking up and down the bank of the river, down Cesar Chavez and up the east side roads dressed in a long flowly robe, the way they had dressed Maria for burial. On many dark nights they saw her walk the river bank and cry for her children. And so they no longer spoke of her as Maria. They called her La Llorona, the weeping woman. And by that name she is known to this day. Children are warned not to go out in the dark, for, La Llorona might snatch them and never return them.
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mexican folklore
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pregnant women & an eclipse
An Eclipse
& Pregnant women In Mexico it is believed that if a pregnant woman is exposed to an eclipse, the infant will have a cleft lip or palate. This belief originated from the Aztecs who believed that an eclipse occurred because a bite had been taken out of the moon. If the pregnant woman viewed the eclipse, her infant would have a bite taken out of its mouth. An obsidian knife is to be placed on the woman’s abdomen before going out at night to protect her. This belief remains intact hundreds of years later, the only difference being that today a metal key or safety pin is used for protection.
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mexican folklore
Don Juan Manuel This Don Juan Manuel was a rich and worth gentleman who had the bad vice of killing people. Every night at eleven o’clock, when the Palace clock was striking, he went out from his magnificent house—as you know, still stands in the street that has been named after him—all muffled in his clock, and under it his dagger in his hand. Then he would meet one, in the dark street and would ask him politely: “What is the hour of the night?” And that person, having heard the striking of the clock, would answer: “It is eleven hours of the night.” And Don Juan Manuel would say to him: Senor, you are fortunate above all men, because you know precisely the hour at which you die!” Then he would thrust with his dagger— and then, leaving the dead gentleman lying in the street, he would come back again into his own home. And this bad vice of Don Juan Manuel’s of killing people went on for a great many years. Living with Don Juan Manuel was a nephew whom he dearly loved. Every night they supped together. Later, the nephew would go forth to see one or another of his friends; and, till later, Don Juan Manuel would go forth to kill some men. One night the nephew did not come home. Don Juan Manuel was uneasy
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don juan manuel
because of his not coming, fearing for him. In the early morning the city watch knocked at Don Juan Manuels’ door, bringing there the
himself—not knowing him in the darkness— killed his own nephew whom he so loved.
III II
found, Don Juan Manuel knew that he
IIII
when they told where his body had been
I X X
I IIX IX
in the heart of him that had killed him. And
IIIV
dead body of the nephew—with a wound
V IV IIV
Then Don Juan Manuel saw that he had been leading a bad life: and he went to the Father to whom he confessed and confessed all the killings that he had done. Then the father put a penance upon him: that at midnight he should go alone through the streets until he reached the chapel of the Espiraction (it faces upon the Plazuela de Santa Domingo; and, in those days, before it was a gallows); and that he should kneel in front of that chapel, beneath the gallows; and that, so kneeling he should tell his rosary through. And Don’t Juan Manuel was pleased because so light a penance had been put upon him, and he hought soon to have peace again in his soul. But that night, at midnight, when he set forth to do his penance, no sooner had he come out from his own door than voices sounded in his ears, and near him was a terrible ringing of
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mexican folklore
a little bell. And he knew that the voices which troubled him were those of the ones whom he had killed. And the voices sounded in his ears so woefully, and the ringing of the little bell was so terrible that he could not keep onward. Having gone a little way, his stomach was tormented by the fear that was upon him and he came back again to his own home. Then, the next day, he told the Father what had happened, and that he could not do that penance, and asked that he could not do that penance, and asked that another be put upon him. But the Father denied him any other penance; and made him do the one which was set for him—or die in his sin and go forever to hell. Then Don Juan Manuel again tried to do his penance, and that time got half of the way to the chapel of the Espiracion; and then again turned backward to his home, because of those woful voices and the terrible ringing of that little bell. And so again he asked that he be given another penance; and again it was denied to him; and again— getting that night three-quarters of the way to the chapel—he tried to do what he was bidden to do. But he could not do it, because of the woful voices and the terrible ringing of the little bell.
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don juan manuel
Then he went for the last time to the Father to beg for another penance; and for the last time it was denied to him; and for the last time he set forth from his house at midnight to go to the chapel of the Espiracion, and in front of it, kneeling beneath the gallows, to tell his rosary through. That night, was the very worst night of all. The voices were so loud and so very woful that he was in weak dread of them, and he shook with fear, and his stomach was tormented because of the terrible ringing of the little bell. But he pressed on—you see, it was the only way to save his soul from blistering in hell through all eternity—until he had come to the Plazuela de Santo Domingo; and there, in front of the chapel of the Espiracion, beneath the gallows, he knelt down upon his knees and told his rosary. And in the morning, all the city was astonished, and everybody—from the Viceroy down to the cargadores—came running to the Plazuela de Santo Domingo, where there was a sight to see. The sight was Don Juan Manuel hanging dead on the gallows—where the angels themselves had hung him because of his sins!
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mexican folklore
Red Hiccups
If an infant has developed a case of hiccups, take a string from his mother’s clothes and place it on his forehead to cure the ailment.
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mexican folklore
Dreaming Falling Teeth If one dreams of their teeth falling out while
eating, one close to that person is about to pass away.
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mexican folklore
Curanderas Curanderas are often found deep within Mexican American neighborhoods of the United States as well as throughout Central and South America. Historically, they may be either born into a family with a tradition of curaderismo, recieve the gift of healing later in life, or participate in a long-term apprenticeship with
an
experienced
curandera.
Usually
being an older woman or man who has some knowledge of herbs and folk remedies, they may also have other gifts and abilities. Often they are long-time residents of their barrio, or neighborhood, and are known by word of mouth for their particular healing specialty. Curanderas, who have advanced training, are often asked for help in the removal of negative spirits or the spirits of deceased persons, which may be affecting the family’s health by attaching themselves to a family member or the home – this is a more advanced form of limpia (ritual purification). In such cases, the curandera will conduct special ceremonies to purify and bless both the client and the client’s home. These rituals are especially important if the family has experienced a death, unexplained illnesses, drug or alcohol addiction, or chronic job losses. In most cases, members of the entire family will
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be included in the ceremony.
curanderas
Curanderismo can address a wide array of situations, including treating persons suffering from cancer, by helping to decrease the debilitating side-effects of chemotherapy, addressing
the
physical,
emotional
and
spiritual needs of facing potentially lifethreatening illness and chronic long-term stress of anxiety and depression.
PSYCHIC READINGS
$10
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388-0100
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curanderas
In addition to limpias and healing ceremonies, curanderas may be guided to prepare special amulets with prayer and herbs such as tobacco and copal. Clients then wear the amulet as either a medicine bag or as consecrated jewelry. It is important to note that curanderos never impose their will on another. The goal of the curandera unlike a “bruja� (practitioners of coercive magical techniques such as trabajos more commonly referred to as witchcraft or sorcery) is to heal and protect those who seek their help. Deep compassion, generosity, dedication to life-long learning, and
commitment
to
their
community
and all people, is the hallmark of the true curandero/a.
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money hand
Money Hand If one’s hand is itchy, they are to put their
hand in their pocket instead of scratching it, to guarantee that money is to come your way.
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mexican folklore
Juan Diego & LaVirgen de Guadalupe In 1523, just two years after the Aztec capital of Tenochitlan fell to Hernán Cortés and his Conquistadors, the first Roman Catholic missionaries arrivd to begin the religious conquest of Mexico. Fray Bernadino de Sahagún and his fellow Franciscan brothers immediately immersed themselves
in
the
intensive
study
of
indigenous tongues along with the history, customs and religious practices of the Mexicans, whom they called Aztecs. Soon fluent in Nahuatl, they proceded to translate religious texts and teach the Christian doctrines. Among their first converts was a man baptized with the Christian name Juan Diego. On the chilly morning of December 9, 1531, Juan Diego crossed the barren hill called Tepeyac to attend mass. He was brought to a sudden halt by a blinding light and the sound of unearthly music. Before him appeared the Virgin de Guadalupe, an astounding vision — a beautiful dark-skinned woman who, calling the Indian “my son”, declared herself to be the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. She told Juan Diego it was her desire to have a church built on Tepeyac hill, and asked him to relay that
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juan diego & la virgen de guadalupe
message to Bishop Juan de Zumarraga. It was no easy task for the humble Indian to be granted an audience with the top prelate, but the persistent Juan Diego was finally admitted. The incredulous Bishop demanded that he be provided with some proof of the unlikely encounter. Confused and fearful, Juan Diego avoided Tepeyac for several days, but on December 12, while rushing to find a priest to attend a seriously ill uncle, he took a short-cut across the hill. The Virgin once again appeared and Juan Diego told her of the Bishop’s request. The Virgin instructed him to pick roses from the usually desolate hill and deliver them to Zumarraga as the sign. Juan Diego gathered up the miraculous blossoms in his mantle and hurried off to complete his mission. Once again before the Bishop, he let the roses spill out before him. To the wonder of all assembled, a perfect image of La Virgen Morena (the Dark Virgin) was revealed emblazoned on Juan Diego’s cloak. By order of the Bishop, a small church was soon constructed on the site designated by the Virgin. Skeptics are quick to point out the unlikely coincidence of the Virgin’s appearance on Tepeyac, the very sit of an
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mexican folklore
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juan diego & la virgen de guadalupe
Aztec temple dedicated to Tonatzin (earth godess, mother of the gods and protectress of humanity) which had been devastated by order of Bishop Zumarraga. The original church was replaced by a larger structure built in 1709. The Miracle of Guadalupe was officially recognized by the Vatican in 1745. The second sanctuary was declared a Basilica in 1904, but by then it had begun to slowly sink into the soft, sandy soil beneath it. A new Basilica, of modern design and enormous capacity, was dedicated in October of 1976. In this and other churches dedicated to La Virgen de Guadalupe throughout the nation, millions of the faithful will gather December 12 for processions, prayers, songs, dances, and fireworks to honor “La Reina de México” (the Queen of Mexico). Juan Diego’s mantle, carefully preserved in the new Basilica, has been subjected to extensive analysis over the years. Experts have authenticated the fabric as dating to the 16th century, but have been unable to determine the type of pigment from which the image was
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juan diego & la virgen de guadalupe
rendered. It seems doubtful that in the Colonial era in Mexico human hands were capable of creating a portrait of its exquisite nature. Most wonderous of all, after 465 years, the image of the Virgen de Guadalupe remains clearly imprinted on the miraculous cloak without visible signs of deterioration.
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mexican folklore
The Ghost of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church Some who have visited Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in the wee hours of the night, or the homeless who sleep in its entry, say a woman walks out from the old chapel holding a candle that doesn’t blow out in the wind or rain. She walks through the walls of the new chapel and leaves the candle as an offering, prays and then disappears. People say she is a lost soul obeying a commitment she has yet to fulfill.
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mexican folklore
El Cucuy El Cucuy, the mexican boogyman, is referred to in Hispanic households when children disobey their parents, do not want to go to sleep, do not want to eat, or go to prohibited places after they are told not to. It is not the way the Cucuy looks but what he does that scares most. The cucuy is a child eater and a kidnapper. It immediately devours the child and leaves no trace of them or it takes the child away to a place of no return, but it only does this to disobedient children. The Cucuy is on the look out for children misbehaving. He takes the shape of any dark shadow and stays watching. They are attracted by a child’s disobedience and represent the opposite of the guardian angel and are frequently compared to the devil. Others see the Cucuy as the representation of the deceased of the local community.
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el cucuy
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mexican folklore
La Lechuza La Lechuza (The Owl) is a former curandera of black magic whom turns into a bird woman with the body of an owl. La Lechuza preys on those who are vulnerable to the sound of her whistle. Those in Mexico and Texas warn that if one is walking around town in the wee hours of the night and hears a whistle of La Lechuza, they must not whistle back. Whistling back will result in La Lechuza swaying down and killing the one who whistles back. Primarily preying on children, they try to lure them outside with their whistle in hopes that they will step out and they can fly down and snatch them.
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la lechuza
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mexican folklore
The Evil Eye Called “mal de ojo” in Spanish, the evil eye can cause all sorts of calamities to people and also to material items. In reality, the evil eye can be condensed down to jealousy and desire. If a stranger looks upon one’s child or baby with either of these emotions in their eyes, they have just given your child the evil eye. To keep the evil eye at bay, whenever one’s look at a baby and offers a compliment, she must touch the child at the same time. If a child is suffering from a high fever, crying fits, or nausea and swelling in some part of the body, it is generally thought to be due to the evil eye. If the one who gave the child the evil eye is located, they must pass three mouthfuls of water to the child to break the spell. A red bracelet can also be worn to protect against the evil eye. A traditional Mexican cure involves sweeping a raw egg over the body of the ‘evil eye’ victim to absorb the evil spirits brought onto the victim. The egg is later broken into a glass and put underneath the victim’s bed to absorb the bad spirits. The shape of the yolk is examined in the morning to assess success.
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the evil eye
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mexican folklore
Hair & an Eclipse If one cuts their hair on the day of a lunar eclipse, their hair will grow at a faster rate than usual.
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mexican folklore
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mexican folklore
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credits
Credits la llorona an eclipse
& pregnant women
joe hayes issa galvan
don juan manuel
thomas a. janvier
red hiccups
issa galvan
dreaming falling teeth
issa galvan
curanderas
issa galvan
money hand
grace alvarez serna
& la virgen de Guadalupe the ghost of out lady of Guadalupe
issa galvan
church
issa galvan
el cucuy
issa galvan
la lechuza
issa galvan
the evil eye
helen polaski
juan diego
hair
& an eclipse
dali hoyt palfrey
issa galvan
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mexican folklore
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