Federico Stories

After the independence of El Salvador, new farmers started to build incredible fortunes in El Salvador. However, some of them were not as successful as others, and they decided to reach a deal with the devil. The devil would give them all the gold and silver they wished for but at a high price for their souls. The weak farmers agreed to the devil’s terms and their souls started to corrupt fast with all the “free” gold and silver they were getting. They started to mint new coins that they had to protect at every cost since they were their treasure. After they minted the coins, they stored them in jars (figure 1) and buried them in secret places that only they knew. Figure 1. A jar that was full of gold.  ¹ These weak farmers didn’t trust anyone and even less any banker who could reuse their treasure in bad ways. This was theirs and only theirs, and only they or their descendants had to know their locations. Years passed, and some of these farmers died without any descendants leaving...

Emeterio Ruano was a very ambitious man (figure 1) who owned the Zapotitan Estate in the 1860s. His businesses were going all right, but he wanted more, and one day, he called the devil to make a deal. Figure 1.  Emeterio Ruano. Emeterio approached a mysterious rock inside a tiny lagoon and invoked the devil. The devil came around midnight and granted his wish, that Emeterio would become extremely wealthy. The rock would be the place where every couple of weeks, Emeterio would receive a new gift until the day the deal had to be paid. The rock was extremely unique and frightened anyone who came closer. It was extremely massive,  10 meters wide by 13 long. Also,  the figure of a snake and a shoe that belonged to  Emeterio  was engraved on the rock.  However, the most curious part was its top. It had several holes, two of them with a perfect circumference, where the gold and silver came out from hell. Over the years, the locals renamed the canton Silver Hil...

A long time ago, a mystical cave connected Cuscatlán and Chalatenango (figure 1). People for generations used it to make all kinds of businesses. Some of them were good, and some of them were evil. Figure 1. The Stinky Cave.  ¹ However, one day, one of the bad deals went completely wrong and a powerful stinky smell started to come from its mouth. It was so powerful that people tend to believe it was sulfur, but no one dares to investigate to know what it is. What’s more, the cave became darker and darker than its extreme darkness scares the bravest of the men. Also, some people believe the exit vanished after the wrong deal, but who knows what really happened. Will you be brave enough to enter? Inspired by  Leyendas de El Salvador ’s version. Credits: ¹  Gaceta Suchitoto

In 1655, some mighty pirates living on Meanguera Island attacked a ship and stole a sealed wooden box whose contents. The pirates didn’t care about its destination since they were only looking for gold and silver. They forced the sailors to walk the plank and let them die around 50 miles from the shores of La Paz in El Salvador. However, God didn’t forget what had happened and sent a powerful wind that almost destroy the pirate ship. From one moment to another, the mysterious box fell into the sea and the pirates couldn’t recover it. In 1682, some merchants around the shores of La Paz discovered the mysterious box. They couldn’t open it and asked a man on the shores to lend them one of his donkeys. They walked next to the donkey for several days until they reached San Miguel on November 21 st . As soon as they had arrived in San Miguel, the donkey felt exhausted in the main square in front of the old parish church. Immediately, the box opened and after removing several wraps, they foun...

In 1995 on October 31 st , I was coming back from a long trip to Panama. My company had sent me to deliver several tons of coal and wood to the canal. It had been one of the most tiring trips in my life. I just wanted to reach my house and sleep in my bed. Around 1am, I reached Izalco and tried to go directly to my home, but suddenly, I saw some curious lights moving in the cemetery. I had never seen any lights in the cemetery at night. I decided to park next to the Ash River (Río Ceniza in Spanish) and entered the cemetery to check what was happening. I started to walk carelessly inside the cemetery when suddenly, a white dog approached me with a kind of stick, but as soon as he left it next to me. I noticed it was not a stick, but a massive bone. The dog fled as soon as it had released the bone next to me. I only crossed myself and kept walking inside the cemetery. I thought nothing important had happened. After a while, I started to hear some strange words from behind, "Kakasb...

In 1529, the warrior Shúri ruled Yusique (Chinameca). He belonged to the Lenca people and was a very thin cacique about thirty years old. He looked weak, but he had special physical abilities like a few people in  Cuzcatlan . He possessed the agility of the jaguar; the versatility of the deer and he was incredible flexibility as a bow. His personality was amazing because he used his brain more than pure brute force. His spirit inspired every Indian in his lands, he was considered the warlord of the warlords by his men (figure 1). Figure 1. Shúri.  ¹ At the beginning of that year, Shúri heard of some evil conquistadors taking full control of  Cuzcatlan (the western part of El Salvador) . He was concerned because of their military power and the 4-legged animals they were using to take control extremely fast. This seemed like an extremely challenging battle to win, but they had to stop them at any cost. In 1530, the situation in the central of the country got out of control ...

In Guaymango, there is a mysterious cave (figure 1), which the locals believe is the Devil’s House, an entry to hell. Figure 1. Devil’s Cave. ¹ Many people assure you that if you walk around the San Martín Canton, you will find a narrow path that is surrounded by deep vegetation and cornfields. After a while, you will find two huge stones that guard the entrance to the cave. If you reach this place on the wrong day, a massive golden snake is going to devour you. Only a few had escaped and said it came from the deepest part of the cave. Some drunk people walked around the cave at midnight, and they walked in circles for hours because they lost their way. This is dangerous and they assure that even during their hangover, they still couldn’t know their path for hours. They are sure anyone, even sober people, can lose their path. People who regularly walk around the cave start listening to some creepy laughs like coming from hell. On one occasion a man tried to see what was happening and t...

The house is located on the 2 nd South Avenue and 13 th West Street next to Narcisa Castillo’s nursing home and is full of mysterious stories (figure 1). Many people believe it was once a school and a bank, but no one is sure about its past since it’s extremely old. Figure 1. The haunted house.   ¹ Recently, several people assured you that the city hall recently closed all its doors with bricks because some uncommon visitors were performing satanic rituals inside bringing evils from hell. Before the satanic arrived, several people had seen uncountable abnormal shadows rooming around the windows on some specific nights. Some crazy people even tried to spend a night inside until they started to hear crazy frightening screaming coming from nowhere! Everyone ran away for their lives. Everyone who has seen or heard strange things in this house does not recommend anyone to pass after 12 o ’ clock at night since it could be terrifying, and you don’t know who you will meet. Avoid it at...

On January 13, 2001, an earthquake hit Santa Tecla badly. The following days were full of terror. The strong aftershocks that followed the first earthquake led thousands of families to sleep with clothes, and shoes very close to the exit of their homes. No one knew what could happen next. The fear was so massive since hundreds of people had died because of a landslide in the Las Colinas neighborhood. This situation brought new rumors to the Salvadoran minds. They discovered that just hours after the first earthquake, a horrendous boy was born in Zacatecoluca. Plus, he had predicted a new tragedy was coming on February 13. The newborn had scared the entire medical staff because of his ugliness. Some believed it was the same Antichrist because he had horns and a tail. One of the nurses was so shocked that she exclaimed, "What an ugly child!" Figure 1. The ugly baby. Immediately after the nurse’s words, a frightening voice coming from the newborn answered: "The ugliest even...

Long ago, a shaman cursed a man for no clear reason. The shaman was just in a bad mood and decided to make his eyes extremely strong (figure 1). They even reached a terrible point that if any weak child exchanged glances with him, the child would get sick immediately. The child would suffer for weeks from uncommon diseases that are hard to treat. Some of those unlucky children died if they were not treated fast enough. Figure 1. The strong eye. Unfortunately, almost every surviving child inherited the strong eye cursed also and shared it with the newest generations, creating a vicious cycle forever! That’s why over the years more and more children across El Salvador started to suffer from unexpected illnesses that no doctor could treat and just hope for the best. Be careful if you ever meet one of these cursed men! Inspired by Dinora Flores’ version collected by Ennis Arely Arevalo Girón, Lissette Amelia Gutierrez Paz, and Karen Liseth Mancia Bonilla in their  thesis ...

When passing by the path that goes around the hill in Guatajiagua, a ghost ( El Espanto in Spanish ) appears from nowhere (figure 1). Figure 1. The Guatajiagua ghost. Everyone is afraid to pass near the hill because the ghost loves to scare all men. The ghost searches for new ways to be always in front of all men and throws their hats. Most men try finding another way to avoid the ghost. However, the ghost will keep chasing until around 11 or 12 PM. At this time, the men will be able to reach their homes. Generally, their women will be waiting for them angrily, demanding to know why they are so late at home. Suddenly, the ghost appears in the courtyard, and the women ask, “who is that bundle that is passing by?” Then the men always answer: "He is the one who would not let me pass, I was afraid of that one, and so I came late." Inspired by Hipólito Cruz’s version collected by Ennis Arely Arevalo Girón, Lissette Amelia Gutierrez Paz, and Karen Liseth Mancia Bonilla in their...

At the end of the last century, the corncob of corn (figure 1) was not burned in El Salvador. Salvadorans believed that the corncob of corn was the skeleton of corn and the elders said that the devil stored corn and sorghum so that our Lord’s children would die. Figure 1. The Corncob. Our Lord was disappointed by the devil’s actions and tried to think of a strategy on how to fight him, but he couldn’t find a good one. After a couple of days, he spoke with a yellow ant and a mouse. He asked them if they had any idea how to handle it. They told him this was easy, they would make a tunnel under the earth and in this way, the yellow ant took out the sorghum and the mouse the corn. After this event, sorghum became the favorite grain of yellow for ants and corn for the mice. In this way, the Salvadoran ancestors discovered corn and sorghum. Inspired by Salvador Hernández’s version collected by Ennis Arely Arevalo Girón, Lissette Amelia Gutierrez Paz, and Karen Liseth Manc...

A long time ago, a statue of San Sebastián was brought from Morroñoso Hill in Morazán. It was a nice statue, and the citizens decided to make a tiny chapel for him. The next morning, the citizens visited the tiny chapel, but they were shocked because the statue was not there. The statue had moved by itself to another place where there were some rocks. No one understood how this had happened, but they brought back the statue to the tiny chapel. However, again, the next morning, the statue had moved back to the rocks. And the same phenomenon repeated for several weeks. No one had any idea what was happening or who was moving the statue. Some people believe a joker was playing with the statue. After several weeks, some priests agreed that this was a clear sign that Saint Sebastian wanted to stay in that rocky place. There was no joker behind. Therefore, they decided to build a new temple there. The people were glad, and the statue never moved again. Nowadays, the statue and the church ar...

Long ago, a siren from some faraway lands mysteriously reached the Olomega Lagoon. In those days, the lagoon was inhabited mainly by hard-working fishermen from the Lenca tribe. The siren started to swim in the lagoon until it reached the largest island called Olomegón. She decided that this would become her new kingdom (figure 1). A place that she would rule with her melodic voice. Figure 1. The Siren. Over the years, the inhabitants started to listen to a lovely voice singing inside the lake. One that captivated everyone and could be heard at night mainly. One night, a very brave fisherman decided to chase that song. He could not believe what he was listening to. He fell in love. He started to paddle his canoe, trying to find that melodic voice. Several minutes later, he discovered the voice was coming from Olomegón Island. He started to walk around it, and on its summit, he discovered who was singing. He saw the most alluring woman he had ever seen. Her beauty and voice were extrem...

Many years ago, when La Nahuaterique (a small village in Honduras) was part of El Salvador, there used to live an old and peculiar sorcerer. This village was well known for its Lenca population. The sorcerer was grumpy and unfriendly; barely anyone had ever spoken with him over his long time living there. His face was a complete mystery because he always wore a mask in the shape of an owl (figure 1). He used to live in a tiny cave where barely any light entered. From time to time, the people could see a campfire, but no one was sure if it was real. Figure 1. The Sorcerer.   ¹ Some people believe he was a shapeshifter who transformed himself into other animals, mainly owls. Others had the impression he was one of the few sorcerers who were not fully cursed by the shaman centuries ago. One of those who could revert to his human form at his own will, but to retain his secret identity, he always wore that mask. While a few people believed he had an odd business of selling ointmen...

In the 1900s, in the San Pablo canton in Cuscatlan, many women made amazing hand-made comals (kinds of large pans made from clay). They were the best in entire El Salvador, and everyone wanted to know their secrets. These women used to sell their comals in some unique baskets every Sunday at noon around the municipality. Many people, especially the pupusa makers (las pupuseras in Spanish) , jumped to them when they heard those women saying: "Comals! Comals! 2 for 0.15 cents! Comals of all sizes! Do you want a comal?" Everyone ran and approached them because they wanted one.  Over the years, in the 1920s, a man decided that he deserved to know these women’s secrets. He went to spy on them. He found that the women were making the comals in an odd cave next to a forest (figure 1) every Saturday. He had never seen that cave in his life. He descended around 120 stairs until he reached the secret place where the women made their mystical comals. Figure 1. Dwarf’s Cave....

Long ago, Sir Francis Drake hid many of his treasures around the new Indies. One of these places was Meanguera Island. A place where he buried some of his finest treasures. Meanguera Island was a unique place for Sir France because it was considered a mystical land and had been inhabited long before the Spanish conquest, mainly by the Lenca and the Potones. In the year 1522, they discovered it in the expedition of Andrés Niño. Under the jurisdiction of Gil Gonzales de Dávila. He named this sector Petronila to honor Burgos bishop’s niece, who possessed the title of President of the Council of Indies, Fray Juan Rodrigo de Fonseca. Hence the current name of the Gulf of Fonseca. One day, the Spaniards discovered that Sir Francis had heard the rumors that Sir Francis had hidden some unique treasures while he was circumnavigating the Earth and stole all gold and gemstones from Meanguera, Tecapa, and Conchaguita. He was extremely greedy and thought he would return one day to collect them...

Sir Francis Drake was an English man of noble origins. He had a good education, wealth, and excellent life. However, he felt that something was missing in his life and decided to embark on a new journey to the New World. No one is sure what happened or why his mind changed during these months in the Atlantic Ocean, but something is clear: he became a well-known criminal and pirate over the years. Sir Drake built a solid reputation across the Atlantic due to his multiple berths and looting. Hence, his crew and hem were nicknamed “Sea Dogs.” Sir Drake sailed all his pirate adventures in the Golden Hind (figure 1), a beautiful and impotent ship that was the crown of Sir Drake’s pirate kingdom. Figure 1. Sir Francis Drake and t he Golden Hind.  ¹ Over the year 1578, Sir Drake crossed the Strait of Magellan and headed towards the Spanish Indies in the Pacific. He toured the entire Pacific coast and went from Chile to California. On this journey, he disembarked and plund...

Long ago, in the Chinchontepec surroundings, a woman of incredible beauty used to live. Unfortunately, her life was extremely tough because every time she met a new man, he got madly in love with her, wanted to marry her, and procreate his offspring with her. The woman couldn’t understand these mad situations and was losing her marbles. Plus, for unknown reasons, she could not love or feel any attraction to any of her wooers. Hence, she constantly fled from one place to another to avoid creating unrealistic expectations. One day during the dry season of 1254, the woman decided to climb to the top of the Chinchontepec to rest from her wooers. Near the crater, she decided to take a nap. Some hours passed when a young man appeared from nowhere, and immediately upon, looking at her, he fell in love as had always happened. The man tried to propose her marriage as many had attempted, but at this moment, the volcano erupted as never before. It ejected ash plumes and erupted lava as ne...

In Central America, there are some incredible trees called,  Amates . They tend to be associated with demons and creatures from beyond like the Siguanaba . Central Americans advise not to approach these beautiful and mysterious trees. Everyone says that through them, the demons and many mysterious beings from the underworld wish to contact you and take control of your soul. Over the years, some men, who were captured by the Siguanaba more than once, observed a peculiar pattern in her actions. They noticed that the large and leafy branches of some Amate trees in the Lempa River moved from side to side without any breeze or wind. In these specific trees, she rests in her hammock (figure 1), waiting for any courageous man who tries to flirt with her. Figure 1. The Siguanaba is waiting in her hammock. Pay attention to these trees! Say all the survivors! Get out of that place! The Siguanaba is even more powerful there than anywhere else! Her tits can hypnotize you and make yo...