The Spanish legend of El Coco terrified children and was used by parents to lull their children to sleep. But what was really behind the terrible legend of the child-eating monster that was coming for you?
Many Spanish parents scare their children by warning them about El Coco, the Boogeyman monster who kidnaps children if they misbehave or don't want to sleep. It is also associated with a terrible crime that was like a manifestation of an elderly legend.
Parents warn their children about El Coco using a popular nursery rhyme: “Sleep baby, sleep now, El Coco is coming and will eat you.” (“Sleep, child, sleep now, or Coco will come and eat you.”
Origins and cultural differences of the legend of El Coco
The legend of El Coco has its roots in Galician Spanish and Portuguese folklore, but has spread to various countries and cultures around the world, each with its own unique variations.
In Spain, El Coco is often depicted as a gloomy, shadowy figure lurking in the night. Some say he appears on moonless nights, puts lying children in a bag and turns them into soap.
Other cultures have their own versions of the legend, such as the Bogeyman in English-speaking countries and the Sack Man in France.
The origins of the legend can be traced back to the 17th century, when the first lullabies were written down, during which parents intimidated their children with stories about monsters and bogeymen. These warnings served as a way to instill discipline and obedience in the children, as they believed that the threat of El Coco would keep them in line.
Over time, the legend evolved and became deeply embedded in the collective consciousness of various cultures. Over time, the story of Coco spread throughout Latin America, which also gave it its own twist.
Scary stories and encounters with El Coco
There have been many blood-curdling stories and alleged encounters with El Coco throughout history. These stories were passed down from generation to generation, fueling the fear and fascination surrounding the legend. One such story tells the story of a newborn boy who was kidnapped by El Coco and never seen again. The boy's parents claimed they saw a gloomy figure with glowing eyes and a black cloth bag lurking outside their home on the night of the kidnapping.
Perhaps what's most terrifying about this is that it's so well-connected to a real, horrible crime that happened to a child.
The real El Coco Francisco Ortega
The real person associated with El Coco was Francisco Ortega. In 1910 he lived in Gador, Spain, without his family, alone in his house. He had tuberculosis and was close to death.
There was no cure for tuberculosis at the time, but Ortega did not want to die. He went to the healer Francisco Leona, who also practices black magic. He told Ortega that he needed the child's blood and 3,000 reais to pay the healer.
They kidnapped seven-year-old Bernand from home and threw him into a bag. Leon cut out the child's heart with a knife and crushed his head with a stone. They drank his blood, put his heart in a jar, and made a medicinal paste from his body.
Leona disposed of the body with Julio's lend a hand. But Julio didn't receive any money, so he went to the police and turned them in. All were arrested and sentenced to death.
El Coco's bedtime story
The legend of El Coco is a memorable story passed down from generation to generation, inspiring fear and fascination in both children and adults. Its roots in Spanish folklore have spread to various cultures, each with their own unique variations on the legend. Horror stories and alleged encounters with El Coco have circulated throughout history, fueling the fear and intrigue surrounding the creature.
Reference:
Gádor's Crime – Wikipedia
Simple Stories in Spanish: The Legend of the Coconut
Coco (folklore) – Wikipedia
The legend of the coconut
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