18 short Ecuadorian legends to learn about the country's folklore

Ecuadorian legends and myths vary by region. In this article I bring you a compilation of the most famous and representative stories of Ecuador. Among them are the cantuña, the maiden of Pumapungo, the sad princess of Santa Ana, the demon of the ravine, among others.

Ecuador is a country full of all kinds of stories, very varied depending on the region you visit.

Ghosts, demons, goblins, spectral ladies and more earthly characters are the ones that star in these stories, living proofs of the rich Ecuadorian folklore.

Next we will discover a few Ecuadorian legends from different regions of the country.

• Related article: "14 Short Mexican Legends Based on Popular Folklore"

18 very interesting Ecuadorian legends

Ecuador is a relatively small country, but very large in terms of culture. Its folklore is very much alive and is a ritual not only in rites and festivals, but also in myths and legends..

Their stories, a mixture of pre-Columbian mythology and the contributions of the European conquerors, are a living and interesting proof of the worldview of the South American country.

Next We will see several Ecuadorian legends, ordered according to the region of this Latin American country from which they arise.

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Some of the stories of the Ecuadorian Sierra are the following.

1. Cantuña and his pact with the devil

Anyone who has visited the capital of Ecuador, Quito, will have realized that the name of Cantuña and the legend that accompanies it is famous. The history of this legend will depend on the place and the person who tells it, but whatever their peculiar way of telling it, they all have the same backstory in common.

Some say that Cantuña was a mestizo, the son of an indigenous mother and a Spanish father, while others speculate that it was in reality of the son of Hualca, assistant of the famous Inca Rumiñahui, who is said to have hidden the Inca gold from the conquerors Spanish people.

Whatever its origin, history tells that the priest of Quito came across the idea of ​​building the future Church of San Francisco in the city and he asked our character if he was capable of building it. Cantuña, honored by such an assignment, replied that yes, he would be in charge of building the new temple.

Thus, the priest satisfied that he had found someone willing to do such a great job, he left everything in Cantuña's hands. But, as time passed, our protagonist saw that he would not have time or resources to finish the job and, desperate, He prayed to God for several days to heed his prayers, to see if he would help him, but sadly he did not hear any answer.

Cantuña's despair was already such that he was forced to pray to the right person who should not pray: the Devil. Unlike God, the lord of the underworld was quick to respond to his call. After listening to Cantuña's request, the Devil told him that he would help him finish the church quickly but, in return, he would have to give him his soul, a deal that our protagonist agreed.

Cantuña was very clever, and he dared to ask the Devil to put a clause to the deal in which yes, at At the time of placing the order the work was not done before 6 in the morning, the deal was he canceled. The Devil, who had no doubts about his powers or the ability of his infernal minions, was more than convinced that the temple would be ready before that time arrived.

The Devil sent his imp to the construction zone who, fearful of the wrath of their leader, went to work to finish the Church. They were so devilishly busy and absorbed in what they were doing that they did not realize that Cantuña removed a brick while he was still fresh and watched as the henchmen of the Lord of Darkness himself were working creating a temple for God.

Hours passed and the temple seemed finished. The Devil appeared before Cantuña and just in front of the atrium of the new temple the lord of the underworld claimed the treatment of him, to take Cantuña's soul. In the background the bells were ringing that indicated that it was 6 o'clock in the morning and, while the Devil was preparing to receive the reward from him, the Quito began to laugh, inviting him to check if the job. The Devil and his little devils observed that no, that just one brick was missing and that, therefore, the deal had not been honored.

And that is how the clever Cantuña deceived the Devil by making him work for God, succeeding in satisfying the priest of Quito and earning the merit of having built a temple by himself.

• Related article: "The 10 best short fables for children, with a moral explained"

2. The Guagua Auca

In Ecuadorian mythology, It is said that the Guagua Auca is a demon created by the soul of a child who was born and died without being baptized. The gloomy specter of him appears before the drunks who walk the streets late at night, scaring them with a terrible incessant scream that despairs even the most sane person.

The unsuspecting drunkards desperately search for the origin of the screech until they find where it appears from. The first thing they see is a sad scene, a poor newborn child who must have been abandoned by his mother and who has wrapped him in a blanket to see if someone will take care of him. Who would leave a poor baby abandoned there? Drunks, in a show of compassion, take it to take care of it.

But the truth is that they are the poor, so drunk that they are not going with caution. Hours later they realize the mistake they have made, seeing how the baby completely changes its physiognomy and the supposed child becomes a demon, protagonist of the worst nightmare that can come to your head.

They say that there are not a few men who, after a night of drunken revelry, have been found dead and with foam in their mouths, victims of their encounter with the Guagua Auca.

3. The origins of the Cañaris

The Cañaris were an ethnic group that lived in the current provinces of Azuay and Cañar. It is believed that her name is related to the idea of ​​believing to be descendants of the snake and the guacamaya, two figures that have important relevance in the worldview of this people and Ecuador modern.

According to legend, In those lands the goddess Pachamama sent a flood that covered even the top of the highest mountain. Everything was destroyed in its wake, and only two brothers survived who barely managed to reach a peak that was not yet covered in water. They hoped that at some point the water level would drop, and they decided to wait there.

But the water did not go down, and they had no human way to get food so in a matter of days they began to faint. But fortunately, and just when they were about to die of hunger, the brothers discovered a cave in which there was food. They returned the next day and food appeared again, as if by magic.

They did not understand what was happening until one day they realized that two women in the shape of a macaw were the ones who left food there daily. The beauty of their feathers and their feminine silhouettes fell in love with the two brothers, whose love was reciprocated and with them they had many children. From these children other children would be born, who would be the first settlers of Cañar.

4. The maiden of Pumapungo

Pumapungo was the preferred resting destination for the Inca emperors. Located in the current Cuenca, in the province of Azuay, this place was impressively decorated and today it is possible to delight in the remains that still remain of the settlement, a place where it is said that there was a sacred source for the exclusive use of the emperor.

But the legend does not focus on the source of the Inca, but on his maidens. Cared for by women called the Virgins of the Sun, these were raised since childhood in different arts and skills that they used to entertain their emperors. One of these exclusive virgins for the Inca emperor is called Nina, a beautiful and delicate woman.

Although it was forbidden for the Virgins of the Sun who lived in Pumapungo, Nina ended up falling in love with one of the priests of the temple. This love was mutual, causing this pair to meet on Full Moon nights in the gardens of the place, looking the stars and enjoying the night breeze that, as background noise, gave atmosphere to the passion of the two lovers.

But her secret didn't last long. When the emperor found out, full of anger and rage, he had the priest killed as punishment, but not Nina. Nina was not executed, but she was not informed of the fact either. In fact, The Inca emperor ordered that he not be told anything about what had happened, that he continue to believe that his love was alive.

The sadly ignorant Nina kept coming to the place that was once her love nest and her lover. He went back and forth, but his lover did not come to his meetings. One day, after several unsuccessful attempts, she died of grief when she did not see her lover again. Legend has it that she is still there, that on the same nights of the Full Moon that she enjoyed the love of her lover is manifested and her lament can be heard in the ruins of the place.

5. The legend of Father Almeida

In Quito a phrase is heard a lot: "How long, Father Almeida?". It is said every two times three, but few people from Quito know what the story behind it is. Do you want to know what it is? This is…

The story takes place in the city of Quito, of course, specifically in its historic center. Father Almedia is part of one of the most popular Ecuadorian legends because he is the most humorous.

People say that This emissary of God went out at night to cool his throat, taking his drink of brandy religiously. When the opportunity presented itself to set aside his ecclesiastical obligations, good old Father Almedia leaped from a tower and swooped into the street.

Once upon a time of those so many nights that he went out that he, suddenly, he heard a voice in the distance that said to him:

• When will be the last time you do it, Father Almeida?

Incredulous, the priest answered on high:

• Well, until he wants another drink again.

There are those who say that he did not say that, but that he blurted out a phrase that some might consider even a bit blasphemous:

• Until the return of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Be that as it may, that very night, after having been drinking so much at the bar, he encountered a funeral march on his way to the cemetery.

As he left it, he collided with the coffin and was surprised to see what he saw, leaving him paler than dead. The person who was inside the coffin was neither more nor less than himself, killed by some incident for overindulging with alcohol.

Suddenly, the alcohol that he had in his veins evaporated from the tremendous shock that took him away, recovering sobriety in a jiffy. He ran and ran to the church and promised Christ that he would never take another drop of any brew..

People who visit the same church where Father Almedia worked say that the local Christ traces a slight smile on his lips, as if he had won. It is believed that it is because of having managed to get Father Almeida to give up alcohol, Christ satisfied that he had made the sheep return to the flock.

• You may be interested in: "Alcoholism: these are the effects of dependence on drink"

6. The weather vane of the cathedral of Quito

In colonial times, Quito was the residence of a powerful knight full of riches, but also full of pride and arrogance. He had no qualms about insulting or belittling anyone who crossed his pathWell, he felt like the most important man in the world.

So much was his contempt for everything and everyone that, one day returning drunk to his luxurious home, he stopped in front of the majestic rooster-shaped weather vane of the Quito Cathedral. Any normal person would have been amazed at that instrument, but he, of course, could not avoid spouting outrages and insults:

• That rooster is pathetic! What a rooster joke! More than a rooster, it looks like a scary and ridiculous poultry!

Poor and stupid cretin because, to the surprise of the rude gentleman, the rooster came to life and the words he said did not sit well with him. The bird took off from the weathervane to attack him fiercely, without mercy. The wounds he inflicted on the knight stained the faces and elegant clothes of our arrogant protagonist red.

The next morning, the knight woke up in his bed noticing the sting of all the peck marks and blood coagulated by his body. His memory was failing him, was it true or a product of his drunkenness? He didn't remember it very well, but the damage to his body was as real as a stone is hard.

Since then his fumes have lowered a bit and, in addition, he did not dare to pass in front of the cathedral of Quito again.

7. Atahualpa

Atahualpa was one of the best known Inca emperors in history since he was the last Inca sovereign before the arrival of the Spanish conquerors. and, also, because he was a bloody leader, with a savage demeanor in battle. It is said that everything he knew in the art of war was taught to him by his father, Huayna Capac.

Legend has it that, during his childhood, Atahualpa was in the forests of Cuzco in search of being able to hunt some little animal for his amusement. While he was prowling around the place, a beautiful macaw that perched on a tree branch crossed his path. The young Atahualpa wanted to have that bird as a trophy, so he decided to go for it and did not stop until he managed to kill it.

Proud of his piece, he returned home to show his father the trophy, knowing that it was a difficult bird to come by. However, just before, Atahualpa ran into his mother, Queen Pacha, a wise woman who gave him a beautiful and valuable lesson:

"The enemy is only attacked in war, since he has weapons to defend himself"

He then he caught the bird and made his son a headdress so that he would always remember those wise words.

8. Legend of the Atahualpa Treasure

The legend of the Atahualpa treasure is one of the most remembered Ecuadorian stories. Everything happens in times of the Spanish conquest, when the conquerors manage to capture Atahualpa.

Trying to regain freedom, Atahualpa offered a room full of gold and two rooms full of silver, an agreement that the Spanish accepted.. The objects and precious stones began to arrive at the town of Cajamarca where Atahualpa was captured but, unfortunately, the distance affected the agreement causing that everything agreed was not achieved and, therefore, the Spaniards ended up killing the leader inca.

Upon learning of Atahualpa's death, Rumiñahui decided to hide the rest of the loot so that the Spanish would not see it as punishment for breaking the agreement. This made the Spanish conquest divided, obsessed with the search for the rest of the treasure, causing Francisco Pizarro headed down a path while Sebastián de Benalcázar continued the search to find Rumiñahui.

They managed to capture Rumiñahui who was burned in the Quito square, but Atahualpa's lieutenant was not caught and he remained hidden with the Inca treasure. The legend is still very much alive and he has motivated several expeditions in search of the treasure of Atahualpa, but it has never been found. Who knows if one day the myth will come true ...

Coastal

Stories of coastal Ecuador.

9. The sad princess of Santa Ana

In what is now known as Guayaquil there lived a king who had great wealth in his fortresses. Despite being very wealthy, he could not prevent his daughter from falling ill with a strange disease for which she had no cure.

One day a sorcerer appeared before the king, a man who offered to cure the princess's health in exchange for all the royal riches. The king, despite loving his daughter, also wanted the great fortune that he possessedher, so she said no. As a result of her refusal, the sorcerer became angry and cast a curse on the lands inhabited by the king, condemning him and his people to disappearance.

Centuries later, with the arrival of the Europeans, one of the Spanish expedition members who climbed one of the hills in the area came across a beautiful princess. The girl gave the young conqueror two options: or take a beautiful city full of gold or marry a faithful and devoted wife.

The young conqueror chose to be pragmatic, choosing the city of gold, a decision that he did not make the princess happy. Angry, she conjured a curse on him while the terrified conqueror began to pray to the Virgin of Santa Ana to save him, which she granted him. It is for this reason that the hill where the city of Guayaquil was founded was baptized with the name of Santa Ana.

10. The demon of the ravine

An Ecuadorian legend tells that there is a demon that lives in the ravines near the rivers. His hobby is looking for houses that have been built on its edges, to throw them over the waters of the river.

One night, the demon disguised himself as a handsome man with charming demeanor and attractive features who, with the intention to knock down a house with all its inhabitants inside, he enchanted the family that lived there so that they would soon to sleep.

She hypnotized all but one, a boy who managed to hide under a chair and fled to ask a priest for help. The priest arrived on time, said some prayers and saved the house and the whole family from falling into the river.

11. The lady of Guayaquil

The legend of the lady of Guayaquil is a story that spread at the beginning of the 18th century and is still widely told among Ecuadorians. It tells the story of how an elegant woman, with a black dress and a veil on her face, appeared to the men who roamed the streets while drunk. The men could not ignore her, for the woman was mysterious and attractive, enveloped in a sweet fragrance.

The men were after the lady, but they never managed to reach her. They were running through the streets, tumbling while under the influence of alcohol, until they managed to reach her a few meters from the general cemetery. It was just at that moment when the woman turned around, she took off her veil and what was a fruity and sweet fragrance became a foul smell. Her face showed her true form: the skull of a dead woman.

The men were stunned by the cadaverous figure whose stench made them convulse on the ground until they died of vomiting and frothing, their eyes rolled up and in a pathetic posture. It was the lady's punishment for scoundrels, drunkards, and unfaithful to her wives.

12. The goblins of Ecuador

The goblin is a character present in many regions of Ecuador according to the mythology of the region. This being inhabits the forests and jungles of the country, resting on large rocks in the rivers, wearing dark clothes and wearing a large hat. There are those who believe that they are not isolated goblins, but that they form a whole community that is distributed along caves, gorges and rivers throughout the country.

The goblins often fall in love with beautiful young women that he begins to follow. He tries to get her attention by throwing rocks or whistling, and is very jealous when the partners of the girls he has fallen in love with show up.

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13. Emilio Estrada's pact with the devil

Emilio Estrada was president of the municipal council of Guayaquil and president of the republic for a few months. He stood out for serving his city in the workplace and private. He tried to serve his country, but after winning the presidency in the presidential elections he had to decline as his health was greatly affected.

But the legend is temporarily set in after his death. It is said that he would have sold his soul to the devil, without really knowing why. Either way, the president ordered the construction of a copper mausoleum to prevent the Devil from taking his soul. The Devil, enraged at not being able to fulfill his pact, ordered his demons to guard the mausoleum and not let President Estrada rest..

Some say they have seen an elegantly dressed man strolling near the Estrada mausoleum. This man talks to pedestrians, talks to those who wait for public transport and even complains about the weather together with the elderly. They say that this man is the former president himself, who comes out to take a turn from his eternal rest.

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14. Umiña, the manteña goddess

Umiña was the daughter of a priestess and a wise chief from the Manta region, on the coast of Ecuador. The young woman was well known in her town for having emerald green eyes, uncommon among the natives of the place.

Unfortunately, Umiña witnessed the murder of his mother with those same eyes and, after a short time, how his father died in somewhat strange conditions. Fortune did not improve, since Umiña was also cruelly murdered shortly after, telling the story that she was on the order of her stepmother, a witch who extracted her heart and is believed to have been involved in the death of her his father.

Legend says that Umiña's heart was transformed into a beautiful and large red emerald and that, when the town found out about this miracle, all the inhabitants of it went there to venerate the stone and build temples in its honor. They say that those who touched the gem saw with joy and hope how all their ailments were healed.

Amazon

Stories of the Amazonian Ecuador.

15. Etsa and the demon Iwia

Iwia was a demon that used to haunt the Shuar community in the jungle. One day, this being devoured all the members of a family, except for a little boy named Etsa whom he took and took to his lair, raising him and making the devil believe that he was her his father.

Etsa grew up and the demon entrusted her with the task of bringing her birds so that they could be eaten as dessert. The boy fulfilled his mission, until one day he realized that there were no more birds in the forest, except for a pigeon named Yapankam with whom he became friends.

She this she told him the real story, what Iwia had done to her real parents and told her that the way to return the birds to the jungle was to put feathers in a blowpipe and blow. And so did Etsa, who also decided to kill the demon as revenge for what he did to his parents and free the birds from their yoke.

16. Kuartam, the toad

This is the story of a hunter from the Shuar culture, who went into the forest. His wife, the woman very worried, he had warned her not to scoff at the sound a toad would make if she found it.

She happened to meet the hunter on his way with the toad who made the peculiar sound of him, a croak that the man could not help laughing and imitating in a jocular tone. The human had a good time, but the amphibian not so much and, angered, the toad turned into a cougar that ate part of the hunter's body.

The wife, upon learning what had happened, decided to take justice into her own hand and claimed vengeance. She found the toad and killed it by knocking down the tree it was in. The woman opened the animal and was able to retrieve the remains of her husband from inside her.

17. Nunkui and cassava

The huar had consumed all the resources of the lands they inhabited. Mother Earth Nunkui wanted to help them but, before, she had to check if they were worthy of facilities so of her offered to her people her daughter as a gift from her, warning them that, if they cared for her, she would provide them with food of all kind. On the other hand, if she was mistreated, hunger would return to the village.

The Shuar accepted and watched as the food returned in abundance. However, the youngest of the village did not respect Nunkui's warnings, since some children from the community abused the girl. Mother earth, angry, swallowed all the food And this is the explanation given by those in the community to justify why the yucca has to be searched for under the ground.

Galapagos

The Galapagos Islands also have their Ecuadorian legends; here you can see an example of it.

18. The wall of tears on Isabela Island

One of the most modern Ecuadorian legends is the wall of tears on Isabela Island, an islet that is located 5 kilometers from Puerto Villamil, in the Galapagos Islands. In that place there is a wall made of stones that was built between 1945 and 1959 by prisoners sent there. to pay for their misdeeds. The wall is about 25 meters high and it is said that many prisoners died in its construction.

Those who live on the island say that when it is foggy, at twilight or at night, the faint wailing of those who gave their lives while building the wall can be heard. Others say that the ghosts of some of the prisoners can be seen on the road leading to the site.