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Dissecting the top two Colombian male legends photo by Ambi-Ka (via Creative Commons)

Dissecting the top two Colombian male legends

by : Nicole Brown posted :

Legends and myths are a big part of Colombian culture and no trip to the country would be complete without hearing some wacky tales. Next time you're with a group of friends by a campfire roasting marshmallows, queue the dramatic music and tell one of these frightening Colombian tales to get your friends to jump out of their seats.

A statue of El Mohan photo by Ambi-Ka (via Creative Commons)
A statue of El Mohan

El Mohan

Perhaps the most famous Colombian legend, male or female, is that of el Mohan. El Mohan, like most creatures depicted in myths and legends is dual spirited and is equal parts gruesome and kind. The Mohan is described as a stout man with long hair and golden skin. He takes on the appearance of a neanderthal with large hands and feet yet he has long nails that resemble claws.

He resides near rivers in a large cave complete with a secret underwater entrance. Why does he need a secret entrance you may ask. Well, it's to guard his treasure of course! El Mohan is a mischievous fellow who collects gold rings, bracelets, gems, the works. He uses these fine items to lure women towards him and it is said those that follow him are never to be found again.

Some whisper that these women are trapped in his cave and are used as concubines. He particularly goes after recently engaged women who innocently clean dishes and clothes near the river. Aside from snatching women, he is also known for stealing bait hooks and scaring away fish inhibiting local fishermen from coming home with a good catch of the day.

But aside from those gruesome qualities, El Mohan also helps return lost love ones to their families. If anyone drowns in the river and his or her body is later found, it is suggested that he is the one that made it possible.

So how do you protect yourself from El Mohan? Make sure to have tobacco and salt with you as salt will turn him into a gold statue and tobacco smoke will prevent him from getting too close and tracking you.


A statue depiction of El Silbon photo by María Auxiliadora Ramírez Prato (via Creative Commons)
A statue depiction of El Silbon

El Silbon

So if you thought El Mohan was a creepy guy, just wait until you hear about El Silbon. Synonymous with the grim reaper in the western culture, this character has a surprising backstory that is just as chilling as his touch.

His story starts as a young boy in a family with a loving father, mother and grandfather. They loved him so much and would continuously dote upon him until he grew spoiled. This sounds like a typical tale until one day the young boy cried and threw a temper tantrum because he wanted to eat venison for dinner, a prized meat in the region.

His father obliged and hunted for hours searching for a deer to bring home but alas, he had rotten luck. When he came home empty handed, the little boy was so upset that he plunged a knife through his father's stomach killing him.

At that moment, the boy's mother and grandfather walked in. His grandfather immediately seized him and tied him to a tree whipping him mercilessly then squeezing lemons on the wounds until the old man was satisfied. Grandfather then placed the boy’s father's remains in a bag and forced the young boy to carry it down the hill before setting dogs on him.

As the legend goes, as the grandfather let the dogs loose on his grandchild, he cursed him saying that he is forever damned. And at the moment right before the dogs caught up to him, the boy whistled and this became part of his trademark.

Fast forward to today and if you are wandering through the forest at night and you hear whistling, El Silbon is on your trail. Many say that the further away the whistle sounds, the closer he is too you. In addition, you will also hear the clinking from the bones in the bag that he forever drags behind him.

So how do you avoid his clutches? Make sure to go on your Colombian hike or adventure during the day and if you absolutely must take to the trails at night, make sure to have your Uncharted Colombia trip leader by your side!

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