THE 7 MYTHS AND LEGENDS OF THE ANDEAN REGION OF COLOMBIA - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The myths of the Andean region of Colombia originate, in most cases, from the department of Antioquia. The stories about supernatural beings sought to explain certain mysterious events of the past, or simply to generate fear.

There are various subcultural groups in this region, so the fact that the mythological characters in the stories do not always coincide 100% in their description, purpose and rationale must also be considered. These vary according to the Colombian department where the legend is known.

Fictional characters of men and women are the protagonists of these myths of the Andean region, with stories in some cases a bit chilling.

The common point of almost all the myths of the Andean region of Colombia is that, in most cases, people who have behaviors considered somewhat immoral will be the most vulnerable to attack or appearance by these beings.

You may also be interested in these Colombian legends and myths.

The 7 main myths and legends of the Andean region of Colombia

1- The Sombrerón

It is said that this character appears in the Antioquia department. He appears before people on horseback, and is accompanied by two dogs (mastiffs) chained around his neck. Its victims are never injured or lost their lives.

The Hatter goes after cheating gamblers and gamblers, brawlers, night owls, lazy parents who use their young children for work, annoying drunks, and anyone with a similar lifestyle.

It usually appears mainly in rural areas, although they say they have seen it on the streets of Medellín, especially on Friday nights and early Saturday mornings.

Its modus operandi is as follows: the hatman begins to chase its victims shouting "if I catch up with you I'll put it on you" (referring to the hat).

Then he throws his hat, which begins to grow in size until it completely covers the body of the victim, who is trapped in it.

Once the person is captivated, they lose consciousness as a result of fear. Then the hat returns to its owner, who disappears along with her horse and dogs in the midst of an icy and nauseating wind.

2- The Silbón

The Silbón is a human-like specter that carries a bag, wanders through forests, and is approximately six meters tall.

Its presence is noticed when the sound of its hiss is heard and the movement of the leaves is noticed in the treetops.

Its victims are drunkards who fall unconscious due to excess alcohol ingested. However, it does not harm them, it just sucks the alcohol from the navel.

Before becoming a wandering specter, the Silbón was a very spoiled young man who killed his father when the latter failed to hunt a deer for dinner; Faced with this, his grandfather whipped him and banished him from home, cursing him.

It is said that, in urban areas, this character appears in front of some houses, sitting on the curb of the sidewalk, where he takes his father's bones out of the bag and begins to count them.

3- The Poira

The Poira (or also known as the Mohán), is one of the myths of the Andean region belonging to the department of Tolima, and it is about a being who practices witchcraft.

He lives in a cave with an underwater entrance, and among his belongings there are chests with treasures and jewels. His appearance is that of a short human with large hands and feet and a matted beard.

Some of his victims are the fishermen of the Magdalena River, whom he attacks underwater, stealing the fish caught in their nets, entangling their hooks and even flipping them from their canoes.

However, its main victims are women. The Poira attracts women to the cave through music, although it is also said that he seduces them himself. All these gadgets are achieved through the use of his magic.

Whatever the path, nothing more is heard from the women who once visited his cave. Each woman who visits the place will be at the mercy of the magic of Poira, to become a piece of gold that will be part of her collection.

4- The Patetarro

One day, in a machete fight, he was seriously injured in one of his legs. Defeated and humiliated, I cannot bear the shame of losing in front of the people, so he decided to take refuge in a mine hole.

Not receiving medical attention, this character had to amputate his leg, placing a jar of guadua in its place to complete the missing part. But the detail is that in that jar he used to do his physiological needs.

It is said then that the Patetarro wanders through rural areas, spreading the feces that overflow from the guadua jar, where then worms are formed that kill all possible plant life.

5- Maria la Larga

Legend has it that one night, a tall, handsome woman approached a group of men who were drinking and having a good time.

The men noticed her presence instantly, and after a brief game of flirting or glancing between the men and the woman, the latter began to move away from the place. The woman was so beautiful that the men could not resist and began to follow her.

The woman led the group of men to the cemetery, where the festive atmosphere moved. One of the men managed to conquer her and the romance of hugs and kisses began.

It was then that the appearance of the beautiful woman changed to that of a horrifying being; her lover wanted to part with her, but his attempts were unsuccessful.

The woman then began to rise with the man clinging to her and, at a certain height, dropped him, embedding him at the top of the tower of an old chapel. Finally his figure began to lengthen and fade into the dark night.

6- The headless priest

It is said that the priest lost his head due to a sharp edge of the tree to which he jumped from a balcony, the day he slept with a woman.

They both thought that the noises at the entrance of the house were from the husband of the returning woman, when in fact it was the thief who stole her horse, tied to the door next to the chest.

7- La Muelona

This specter is that of a woman with large teeth who attacks men at night, mainly drunks.

The story goes back to a woman of gypsy origin who established her black magic business in the town; With various witchcraft services, she managed to dissolve marriages and promote debauchery.

His main clientele was the wealthy people of the town, so in a short time he managed to amass a large fortune, later opening a brothel on the neighboring property.

This new business turned out to be a success, but her body couldn't keep up with the messy life she led for several years. His body was filled with ulcers and he suffered a lonely and painful death.

It is said then that his spirit persecutes the womanizing and drunken men, and attacks them directly to the neck with his prominent teeth, causing them death.

References

1. Granados, J. & Violi, D. (1999). Tales and legends of Colombia. Barcelona: Grupo Editorial Norma.
2. Williams, R. & Guerrieri, K. (1999). Culture and customs of Colombia. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press.
3. García Rojas, M., (1993). Origins: Gods and Demonds in Colombian Myths and Legends. University of Texas: UPTC.
4. Bautista, B., Price, C. & Rojas, A. (2001). Colombia. Santafé de Bogota: Prolibros.
5. Masses, R. (1994). Mythology course. Medellín ua: Ed. Colina.