Cómo son los duendes

Notas

There is no precise term in English that renders accurately the Spanish word duende. Although such creatures are small, they are not dwarfs in the traditional folk sense of the term. In several of the present narratives, the duendes resemble household spirits in their habits and actions and these can be related to the kobolds. In Veracruz the duendes are occasionally associated with the out-of-doors. Consequently, I shall continue to use duende in its Hispanic sense, which will be defined by the narratives themselves and the accompanying notes. The legends from Veracruz concerning duendes resemble closely those reported from other areas of Hispanic culture. They are small creatures of the size of children, who engage in mischievous acts, frequently in a dwelling where a family resides. They often are a concern of parents because they play with children and may try to induce them to leave home by offering toys or presents. The concept of the duende in Spain is similar but somewhat restricted when compared with the prevailing concepts in Hispanic America. The synthesis presented by Eugenio de Olavarría y Huarte ("El Folklore de Madrid," in Folk-lore español: Biblioteca de las tradiciones populares. Madrid, 1884, pp. 11, 64-65) places this creature in the category of the household spirit: El duende es un diablillo familiar que se distingue por ser de todo punto inofensivo. Su principal carácter es la travesura. De noche hace ruido de cadenas, trastrueca los muebles, se burla de las mujeres medrosas, meten espanto a los chicos, pero no pierden ninguna alma ni provocan al pecado. Su ocupación constante parece ser hacer ruido por las noches. Aman la soledad, y cuando ocupan una casa, no quieren dividirla con ningún vecino; así que pronto hacen que este se mude, si ha sido tan osado que no les ha tenido miedo. In Mexico the duende engages in the same nature of activity. The brief statement by Vicente T. Mendoza and Virginia R. R. de Mendoza (El folklore de San Pedro Piedra Gorda. Mexico, 1952, p. 387) concerning this belief in San Pedro Piedra Gorda, Zacatecas, agrees in general with the words of Olavarría y Huarte. Valentín F. Frías reports the following concerning the duende as he is believed to exist in Querétaro: Cuenta la tradición que les hacían muchas malas pasadas a los vivientes, tal como llenar las cazuelas de la comida de tierra, poco antes de tomarla; robarse los objetos de costura de los chiquihuites de las señoras; abrir las puertas de las jaulas para que se fueran los pájaros; alzar los muchachitos sacándolos de la cuna; voltear las tinajas llenas de agua en la cocina, etc., etc. According to Frías, they were spirits who remained "en el espacio," probably best translated "at large," and were not assigned to either heaven or hell. Informants in Veracruz ascribed to them no such origin. Consuelo Olmos de Martín in No. 54 is concerned with the general manner of dress of the duende and the color of his clothing. Apparently he is considered to wear clothing of bright colors. Elaine K. Miller has collected a Mexican narrative in which duendes are described as being dressed entirely in green.