photo by Rafael Yockteng
Adventure travel in Colombia is exciting but not scary, although the same can't be said for some of Colombia's urban legends. These women are what nightmares are made of. So grab your popcorn and dive in as you read some frightening tales that will keep you up at night. Just remember, even in death a woman scorned is an unstoppable force; these ladies show no signs letting up on their fury.
photo by Rafael Yockteng
La Patasola
Per scary movie fashion, if it's dark out, it's probably best not to go wandering in the forest alone – especially if you're a lonely male traveller. Why? Because you just might run into La Patasola. So named as this temptress has only one leg (pata means "leg" in Spanish and sola means "alone"), this siren/vampire hybrid is known to lure men by shapeshifting into loved ones or beautiful women.
As the lone wolf follows his lady love deeper into the forest, she changes into a Blair Witch-type woman with aged skin, thin, white matted hair and a large mouth. Once completely changed, she lunges at her male victim and attacks him first by drinking his blood then she cleans up and eats his flesh. Mmmmm tasty!
photo by Melvin Callejas (via Creative Commons)
La Llorona
La Llorona is truly a sad tale but some comment that karma was at play in this terror. Legend has it that a young woman named Maria was the most beautiful woman in the world. As such, she had an attitude and would refuse advances from any local men as well as boast of her beauty to whoever would listen. She promised that she would only marry the most handsome man in the world.
As fate would have it, the most handsome man in the world popped up in her small village and of course was taken by the stunning Maria. Day and night he would try to woo her with gifts, songs and courting but she just turned up her nose to test if his love was true.
Well, eventually she gave in as the two later married and had two children. If that was the end, it would be an OK story but there's more. After a while, the young, rich, handsome husband left his wife for adventure on the road. As more time passed, he would find new women of his class to date and would only visit his two children. Maria no longer basked in the comfort of his gaze.
Legend explains that one day enough was enough. When Maria saw her handsome husband seated next to a rich maiden in a carriage, she took her two children and threw them into the river. By the time she realised that her anger was misdirected, it was too late and her two children were lost. The next morning her body was found by the river and she became known as La Llorona (the crying one) as she can be seen (and heard) by the river crying about the loss of her two little ones. So what makes this female spirit so scary? Locals tell their children the La Llorona tale warning them to always be inside at night or else this brokenhearted spirit will steal them away, never to be seen again.
photo by XalD (via Creative Commons)
La Madre Monte
Like La Patasola, La Madre Monte also resides in nature; in particular, the mountains. This spirit who is synonymous with a feisty mother earth actually protects the forest and punishes those who do harm. Ferngully would approve.
Legend states that La Madre Monte has mystical powers like making children disappear into different realms never to be seen again as well as punishing unfaithful men by making them fall asleep for hours or hiding them in mountains.
Apparently, there are ways that you can protect yourself. First line of defence is tobacco smoke and the second is a special blessed medallion. You can also go the interactive route of yelling insults at her as well as trying to "whip" her. Yeah, better stick to the tobacco smoke or medallion. The latter sounds too exhausting.
Watch your back!
So while you're out on your Colombian hiking trip or outdoor adventure, make sure to keep to the trails and be respectful because you never know when one of these fierce women will appear and snap you into shape.