miércoles, 20 de marzo de 2013

Urban legend



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.
 

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