The Legends and Myths of Spain

Spain is a country rich in culture, history, and diversity. Its folklore reflects the various influences and traditions that have shaped its identity over the centuries. From ancient heroes to ghostly processions, from mythical creatures to tragic lovers, Spain has a wealth of stories and legends that fascinate and inspire. In this article, we will explore some of the most famous and popular legends and myths of Spain, such as the stories and characters of El Cid, Santa compaña, and gamusinos.

El Cid

El Cid is the nickname of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, a nobleman and military leader who lived in the 11th century. He is considered one of the national heroes of Spain, as he fought for both Christian and Muslim rulers against their enemies. He is especially known for his conquest of Valencia, which he ruled as an independent lord until his death in 1099.

The most famous story about El Cid is the Cantar de Mío Cid (Song of the Cid), written around 1140. One of the great epics of the Middle Ages, it combines fact and fiction to portray El Cid as the perfect Christian warrior. Some of the tales it includes contrast El Cid’s honor and courage with the cowardice and brutality of the noblemen surrounding him.

One of the most memorable episodes in the epic is the legend of El Cid’s horse, Babieca. According to the legend, El Cid’s godfather, Pedro El Grande, gave him a choice of any horse from his stable. El Cid chose a weak and scrawny horse, which his godfather called Babieca (fool). However, El Cid saw something special in the horse, and trained him to become a magnificent steed. Babieca became El Cid’s loyal companion, and carried him to many victories. When El Cid died, Babieca refused to eat or drink, and died soon after.

Another famous legend about El Cid is the one of his last battle. After El Cid’s death, his wife Jimena and his knights defended Valencia from the Almoravids, a Muslim dynasty that invaded Spain. Knowing that they could not hold the city for long, they devised a plan to escape. They embalmed El Cid’s body and dressed him in his armor. They placed him on Babieca, and tied him to a wooden frame. They attached strings to his arms, so that they could move them from behind. Then, they led a procession of knights and soldiers out of the city, with El Cid at the front. The sight of El Cid’s corpse riding his horse terrified the enemy, who thought he had risen from the dead. The Almoravids fled in panic, and El Cid’s followers escaped safely.

Santa compaña

Santa compaña (holy company) is a legend from Galicia, a region in the northwest of Spain. It is a procession of souls of the dead, who roam the countryside at night, led by a living person. The living person is usually unaware of their role, as they are under a trance or a curse. They carry a cross, a bell, and a cauldron of holy water. The souls follow them, carrying candles that burn without fire or smoke.

A traditional ghost story, the Santa compaña can be identified by a heavy fog and the smell of wax in the air – as the procession carry burning candles. They themselves are not violent. But if you see them, the stories say to lie face down on the ground. Because spotting them means that either you will die, or the curse will fall onto you.

There are different explanations for the origin and purpose of the Santa compaña. Some say that they are the souls of those who died without receiving the last rites, and that they seek a priest to absolve them. Others say that they are the souls of those who committed suicide, and that they seek a burial place. Still others say that they are the souls of those who were evil in life, and that they seek to drag more souls to hell.

Gamusinos

Gamusinos are imaginary animals that are used as a prank or a joke. They are usually described as small, furry, and elusive creatures that live in the woods or the mountains. They have no fixed appearance, and can resemble any animal, such as a rabbit, a squirrel, or a fox. They are said to be very tasty, and to have medicinal or magical properties.

The prank consists of convincing someone, usually a child or a naive person, to go hunting for gamusinos. The prankster gives them a bag or a cage, and tells them to look for the animal in a certain place. They also tell them to make a specific noise, such as whistling or clapping, to attract the gamusino. Of course, the gamusino never appears, and the prankster laughs at the victim’s gullibility.

The origin of the word gamusino is uncertain, but it may come from the Arabic word gamus, meaning buffalo, or from the Latin word gamutus, meaning endowed. The legend of the gamusino is similar to other mythical creatures from other countries, such as the snipe, the jackalope, or the drop bear.

Conclusion

Spain is a land of legends and myths, where reality and fantasy blend together. Its folklore reflects its diverse and complex history, as well as its rich and colorful culture. The stories and characters of El Cid, Santa compaña, and gamusinos are just some examples of the many tales that have shaped the Spanish imagination and identity.

Questions:

• El Cid’s Legacy: What were some of the notable achievements of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, also known as El Cid, during the 11th century in Spain?

• Santa Compaña’s Mystery: Can you describe the legend of Santa compaña and explain the different interpretations of its origin and purpose?

• Gamusinos’ Purpose: What is the cultural significance of the gamusinos in Spanish folklore, and how are they typically used in pranks?

Spanish Word:

• Leyenda: A noun meaning ‘legend’ or ‘tale’, which refers to a traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but not authenticated.

Classroom Activity:

• Mythical Map Creation: Students can create an interactive map of Spain highlighting the locations associated with the legends and myths mentioned on this page, such as the regions where El Cid’s battles took place, the area known for Santa compaña sightings, and the habitats of gamusinos. They can use digital tools to design the map and include descriptions, images, and perhaps even short audio narratives for each location. This activity will help students visually connect the stories to real-world geography and enhance their understanding of Spanish culture and history.