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Duende (mythology)
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A duende is a fairy- or goblin-like mythological Mayan character. While its nature varies throughout Spain, Portugal and Spanish-speaking America, in many cases its closest equivalents known in the Anglophone world are the Irish leprechaun, the Scottish brownie, the Danish-Norwegian Nisse, or the Swedish Tomte. The etymology of the word "duende" reinforces the equivalence to the latter (tomte from tomt="home") as it shares the same origin as the Spanish word dueño, "owner" (the "real owner" of the house).
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Encyclopedia
A duende is a fairy- or goblin-like mythological Mayan character. While its nature varies throughout Spain, Portugal and Spanish-speaking America, in many cases its closest equivalents known in the Anglophone world are the Irish leprechaun, the Scottish brownie, the Danish-Norwegian Nisse, or the Swedish Tomte. The etymology of the word "duende" reinforces the equivalence to the latter (tomte from tomt="home") as it shares the same origin as the Spanish word dueño, "owner" (the "real owner" of the house). As Federico García Lorca uses the term, it seems closer to fairy as a realm of being. Duendes may also have some traits similar to goblins and kobolds.
The word is often considered to be Spanish equivalent of the English word, "sprite" or the Japanese word, yokai and is used as an umbrella term for any fairy-like being such as goblins, pixies and elves.
The word is also used in Portuguese folklore, being used to describe Goblins, pixies, brownies and leprechauns.
They are believed to be of a small stature wearing big hats whistling a mystical song while walking in the forest. 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 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
In Hispanic folklore of Central America and the American Southwest, Duendes are known as gnome like creatures who live inside the walls of homes, especially in bedroom walls of young children. They attempt to clip the toenails of unkempt children, often leading the mistaken removal of entire toes.
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 hides or takes small children.
See also
- Richard Birot
- Gnome sightings in Argentina
- Gnome has baby with fat woman
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