An urban legend, urban myth, urban tale, or contemporary
legend, is a form of modern folklore consisting of stories that may or may not have
been believed by their tellers to be true. As with all folklore and mythology,
the designation suggests nothing about the story's veracity, but merely that it
is in circulation, exhibits variation over time, and carries some significance
that motivates the community in preserving and propagating it.
Despite its name, an urban legend does not necessarily originate in an
urban. Rather, the term is used to differentiate modern legend from traditional
folklore in pre-industrial times. For this reason sociologist and folklorists
prefer the term contemporary legend.
Here it is I think the most popular urban legend in the Dominican republic:
EL CUCO
El cuco is a mythical monster whose origins can be traced to Spain. The
legend of El Cuco is used through out Spain and Latin America as a fright tool
to make children go to sleep. It is very similar to the Boogy Man in USA. There
is no real description of this mythical being. It is as if he has no form or
shape. It is just a being that is more felt than seen. Parents and grandparents
alike tell the children if they do not go to sleep and fast that El Cuco will
come and take them.
So be careful if you can't sleep and you see a shadow passing near your
bed. It could be El Cuco....
*A few artists have used the name. Cuco Valoy, a Dominican salsa and
merengue singer makes many references to El Cuco. Tonio Rosario has an album
named "La Magia de El Cuco". There is a trip music festival in Puerto
Rico that uses the name of this nocturnal faceless creature.
Every kid in the dominican republic had heard about the "cuco".
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