Güijes
Güijes (also known as Jigües o Chichiricúes) are mythical creatures in Cuban folklore that live in bodies of fresh water.[1] Although their physical description varies between sources, they are often depicted as short-statured, black skinned hominids. Some depictions resemble stereotypical African pygmies, while others resemble monstruous, hairy beasts. They are often naked, or scantly clad in leaves.
Güijes are characterized as mischievous and malicious,[2] or occasionally playful and fun-loving.[3] They can be summoned in many ways including by offering a cigar,[4] circling a holy cieba 12 times at midnight, or by an intentional group of 7 men named Juan (siete Juanes).[5][6]
Cultural references
As stock characters in Cuban folklore, references to güijes can be found throughout Cuban music, film, literature, and art. Some famous references include:
- El Güije by Silvio Rodriguez, song[7]
- A recurring character on El Camino de los Juglares, a Cuban children's show[8]
- El Güije original animation by Instituto Cubano del Arte e Industria Cinematográficos (ICAC)[9]
- Referenced in 'Viva Cuba', film by Juan Carlos Cremata Malberti[10]
- Los Chichiricú del Charco de la Jícara, book by Julia Calzadilla Nūñez[11]
- "Balada del Güije" poem in the 1934 anthology "West Indies Ltd." by Nicolás Guillén
References
- ^ GUANCHE PÉREZ, JESÚS (1994). "Etnicidad cubana y seres míticos populares". Oralidad. 4: 55–66.
- ^ Calvo, Maria (2022-06-02). "El Güije de la Bajada, una leyenda remediana". Radio Habana Cuba.
- ^ "MITOLOGIA POPULAR CUBANA". 26 March 2012.
- ^ ""Bestiario Cubano". A project by Juan Darién". Domestika. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
- ^ "El güije de Remedios". Directorio Cubano (in Spanish). 2018-12-21. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
- ^ Dibujos animados cubanos El Guije. Retrieved 2024-05-13 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ Silvio Rodríguez - El Güije. Retrieved 2024-05-13 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ El Camino de los Juglares - (Capitulo : "A las 3 de la tarde") - Televisión cubana. Retrieved 2024-05-13 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ "El Güije, un personaje travieso de la tradición oral cubana". CiberCuba (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-05-13.
- ^ Malberti, Juan Carlos Cremata; Cabrera, Iraida Malberti, Viva Cuba (Comedy, Drama), Malú Tarrau Broche, Jorge Milo, Luisa María Jiménez Rodríquez, Quad, DDC Films LLC, TVC Casa Productora, retrieved 2024-05-13
- ^ Calzadilla Nuñez, Julia (1995). Los Chichiricu del Charco de La Jicara. https://books.google.com/books?id=xc3Xf1KfCEkC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false. ISBN ISBN. 9505815565.
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