Most Popular Colombian Myths and Legends

Colombian mythology blends indigenous, African, and European traditions, resulting in an incredible wealth of myths and legends over the centuries. These mythical tales have been passed down through generations, captivating the imaginations of Colombians and offering insights into the nation’s cultural heritage. Colombian myths is a tapestry woven with cultures, creating a rich and diverse world of folklore, creatures and legends.

The main legendary figures of Colombian mythology

El Hombre Caiman: The Alligator Man

In the heart of the Magdalena River basin lives a chilling legend —the tale of “El Hombre Caiman” or the Alligator Man. According to the tale, a man named Saúl Montenegro attempted to transform himself into an alligator to spy on bathing women. He was permanently turned into an alligator by a priest who discovered his intentions. The story has become a significant part of the local culture, celebrated annually in the Magdalena River basin with the Festival del Hombre Caiman, where the legend is commemorated through music, dance, and performances.

El Hombre Caiman is a reminder of bad decisions, the consequences of defying fate, and the mystical connection between humans and nature.

La Madremonte: The Protector of Nature

Deep within the lush Colombian rainforests resides La Madremonte ‘Mountain Mother’, a protective nature spirit. She is often depicted as a woman with long, flowing hair covered in leaves.

As a supernatural guardian, the Mountain Mother emerges, meting out retribution to those who exploit nature, particularly the avaricious hunters and loggers of Colombia. Her influence extends beyond the tangible, unsettling those on treacherous paths, foiling their malevolent schemes, and leading them astray into the labyrinthine embrace of the Colombian forest.

El Mohan: Guardian of the Rivers

Colombia’s rivers are home to the enigmatic El Mohan, a mischievous and shape-shifting creature. El Mohan often takes on the appearance of a short, stout man with a fondness for playing tricks on unsuspecting travelers. Yet he is also known to protect the rivers and the creatures that inhabit them.

Fishermen and locals often leave offerings of food and aguardiente (a traditional alcoholic drink) to appease El Mohán, ensuring safe travels along the waterways.

La Llorona: The Weeping Woman

While La Llorona is a well-known figure in Latin American folklore, her presence looms large in Colombian mythology as well. She is the ghostly figure of a weeping woman who wanders near bodies of water, searching for her lost children. Her haunting cries echo through the night, sending shivers down the spines of those who hear her.

La Llorona serves as a cautionary tale, warning children to obey their parents and avoid dangerous waters.

The legend of El Dorado : The Gilded One

The myth of El Dorado originated in Colombia. It remains to this day one of the most famous legends in Latin America and Colombia. The legend says that the indigenous Muisca people performed a ritual in which a new leader would be anointed with gold dust and precious jewels before being submerged in the waters of Lake Guatavita, near present-day Bogota.

Known as the “Gilded One” or the “Golden Man,” the Muisca leader’s fame generated myths and legends that eventually reached the Spaniards. Rumors and hopes of riches gave birth to the legend of a city of gold—El Dorado. The quest for this mythical city has led hundreds of explorers into the Colombian jungle, keeping the legend alive to this day.

Colombian mythology is a treasure trove of stories that bridge the gap between the past and the present. These myths and legends connect Colombians to their ancestral roots, reminding them of the importance of nature, and respect for traditions. As the tales continue to be passed down through generations, they ensure that the rich tapestry of Colombian folklore will endure for centuries to come.