Stories and Tales

Explore the resources below about food and family in Hispanic and Latino/a/x culture. You can choose any of these topics for the culture and language project. Feel free to skim, scan, and skip around these resources based on what interests you most. Use the guiding questions below to help you develop your topic into a presentation. 

Guiding Questions

• What topic did you explore? How would you describe it or explain it to someone who doesn't know about it? Practice describing in Spanish.

• What are some of your first impressions or major learning moments in relation to the topic?

• What are some cultural products, practices, and perspectives associated with the topic? 

• What are some community connections and comparisons you can make about the topic? What are some similarities between your language and culture and the cultures you are learning about?

• What are 5-10 important vocabulary phrases you learned from your exploration in this activity? Practice using them in sentences. 

• In what ways did you learn more about yourself, your culture, and your language in this activity? How did you improve your cultural humility and understanding through this topic exploration? How did you improve your language skills?

More Cuentos and Folk Tales from Spanish-speaking Cultures 

Below is a list of more cuentos, stories, and folk tales that you could explore for the topic of your project. You can search for the stories online and then research their meanings independently. 

1. La Llorona (The Weeping Woman) - Originating from Mexico, this tale tells of a ghostly woman who wanders riversides mourning her lost children, often appearing to children who misbehave.

2. El Sombrerón (The Man with the Hat) - A Guatemalan folktale about a mysterious man who seduces young women by playing the guitar, captivating them with his magical sombrero.

3. La Ciguapa - From the Dominican Republic, this tale features a seductive creature with backward-facing feet who lures men into the forest, never to be seen again.

4. El Silbón (The Whistler) - A Venezuelan legend about a vengeful spirit who wanders the countryside, whistling ominously before attacking those who have committed crimes or misdeeds.

5. El Chupacabra (The Goatsucker) - Originating from Puerto Rico, this modern legend speaks of a creature that sucks the blood of livestock, instilling fear in rural communities across Latin America.

6. La Tunda - A folktale from Colombia, La Tunda is a terrifying creature resembling an old woman who kidnaps disobedient children, teaching them lessons through fear.

7. El Duende - Found in folklore across Spain and Latin America, El Duende is a mischievous creature resembling a gnome or elf, often playing tricks on unsuspecting humans.

8. El Cadejo - A Central American legend featuring a black and a white dog, the Cadejo protects travelers from harm, with the black dog representing evil and the white dog representing good.

9. La Malinche - A historical figure in Mexican folklore, La Malinche was an indigenous woman who acted as an interpreter for Hernán Cortés during the Spanish conquest of Mexico, her story often symbolizing betrayal and cultural conflict.

10. El Curupí - A folktale from Argentina and Paraguay, El Curupí is a mischievous forest spirit who can shape-shift into various forms, often playing tricks on hunters and travelers.

11. El Mito del Sol y la Luna (The Myth of the Sun and the Moon) - An ancient Aztec myth from Mexico explaining the origin of the sun and the moon, involving gods and a cosmic sacrifice.

12. La Loba (The She-Wolf) - A Spanish folktale about a mysterious woman who transforms into a she-wolf at night, roaming the countryside in search of prey.

13. El Gato Negro (The Black Cat) - A Cuban folktale featuring a black cat that brings either good or bad luck, depending on how it is treated by humans.

14. El Tío (The Uncle) - A Bolivian legend about a mischievous underground spirit who punishes miners who do not respect him or the earth.

15. La Llorona del Río (The Weeping Woman of the River) - A Chilean folktale similar to the Mexican La Llorona, this story tells of a ghostly woman who haunts riversides, searching for her lost children.

16. El Dorado - A legendary city of gold sought by Spanish conquistadors in South America, inspiring countless tales and expeditions in search of its riches.

17. La Chica de la Curva (The Girl from the Curve) - A Spanish urban legend about a ghostly hitchhiker who appears on lonely roads, seeking a ride from unsuspecting drivers.

18. El Coco (The Boogeyman) - A widespread figure in Hispanic folklore, El Coco is a malevolent creature who kidnaps misbehaving children, often used by parents to frighten their kids into obedience.

19. El Caballo Bayo (The Bay Horse) - A Puerto Rican folktale about a magical horse that aids a humble farmer in achieving his dreams, symbolizing resilience and the power of belief.

• *Note: This list was created by ChatGPT and is not subject to copyright. It was lightly edited by Tim Brennan to align with the scope and curriculum of this assignment.