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Duende
Small, goblin-like creatures that live in houses. Some are helpful. Others steal children. The Duende have haunted Spanish-speaking lands for centuries. They never truly leave.
Ancient - Present
Latin America and Spain
5000+ witnesses
Duendes are small, supernatural creatures from Iberian and Latin American folklore, similar to goblins or elves.
The Legend
According to documented folklore:
Duendes are:
- Small humanoid creatures
- Living in homes or forests
- Can be helpful or harmful
- Known throughout Hispanic cultures
- Often targeting children
Description
Duendes appear as:
- Small men (1-3 feet tall)
- Often elderly looking
- Sometimes wearing hats
- Missing fingers (sign of identification)
- Can be invisible
Types
Various duendes exist:
- Household duendes: mischievous but often helpful
- Forest duendes: more dangerous
- Child-stealing duendes: malevolent
- Each region has variations
Behavior
Duendes may:
- Help with housework (good ones)
- Play tricks on residents
- Move objects around
- Target children to steal
- Make sounds at night
Protection
To ward off duendes:
- Keep the house clean
- Leave offerings of food
- Wear red clothing
- Mustard seeds confuse them
- Religious objects