The Partideño

The so-called “The Partideño” is a legendary man. He is well-known throughout Chalatenango. According to those who have seen it, they say he always goes barefoot and wears a big hat, which is why they also call him “The Big Hat Man” (The Sombrerón, figure 1).

Figure 1. The Partideño. ¹

He is unfriendly and lives alone in a cave. He also owns a large number of livestock like chickens, cows, goats, turkeys, and other ones for which he has not paid any penny. People say he is like the Pied Piper of Hamelin, who was able to enchant the rats to follow him, The Partideño possesses similar powers too. How is this possible? People say he only needs to pass by where the animals graze and livestock by magic, the animals start to follow him. Therefore, he went from one country to another, taking the cattle and selling it elsewhere. That’s how he got his fortune without any effort.

Surely his powers have been obtained from some kind of spell or pact, but it is the way he uses his gifts for the northern borders of Chalatenango.

People saw him go through the streets, barefoot, with a huge hat and a bow. They knew he was going to a paddock in search of animals. Mainly livestock that he later sold in Honduras or Guatemala, likewise cattle from those countries in El Salvador.

Some say the police arrested the Partideño and he is serving a sentence for his robberies, that’s why no one has seen him again. Others say he lost his powers and died. The truth is nobody knows. However, everyone knows that if you see someone barefoot with a huge hat and a bow in his right hand. They should be careful because The Partideño might have returned and is going to take your precious animals!

Inspired by El Salvador Región Mágica’s version.

 Credits:
Location: San Jacinto, El Salvador

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