Duendes
Among my favorite creatures in this strange world is that of the goblin. There are household goblins, pesky fairies, and other ne’er do-wellers. One creature from the goblin world is the Duendes. Dunedes, also known as El Duende, come from Latin American folklore. Duende is roughly translates to ‘Elf’.
Dunedes are said to a little less than two-feet tall but don’t let their small size fool you, they can still pack a wallop when they want to. There are male and female Dunedes, but they look very similar. They don’t wear clothes, are covered in long hair, and the males sometimes grow beards as well. They typically dwell in the jungle and their diet is said to consist largely of fruits, like figs.
Like most of the fair folk, Dunedes can be good or bad...depending on you, or its mood. Dunedes are very protective of their homes and the boundaries they have created to live in. You may not even be trying to destroy a Dunede’s home...but no matter your intention, you will be tortured mercilessly if you cross them.
How do you avoid them? Well, if you hear a rumor they’re near...just avoid that area. But, there isn’t much you can do. According to some legends, only children can see Dunedes. However, if you get a little too drunk you might be able to see them out of the corner of your eye.
Dunedes do have a particular affinity for children, though. Unlike other folklore stories that are often used to scare or frighten away children Dunedes were seen as protectors. If a child was ever afraid or lost, children were encouraged to call out to Dunedes for guidance. Although they could be both mischievous and kind towards adults with the flip of a switch, it seems they were always kind towards children.
Like Brownies, Dunedes sometimes take up residence in your residence. If they choose to do this, respect them by giving them some work to do around the home. As long as you leave out a little treat at the end of the day and appreciate them, they’ll continue to help you. One of the best ways to do that is to offer them the first bite of your food every meal. That may seem a bit difficult, giving their penchant for invisibility but simply throw the bite over your shoulder and they’ll get the sign of respect.
Thanks to Areliz C for this Blogstonishing topic!
This image is entitled (translated) “little elves trapped in the trees inside the trail that leads to space sculptures that speak in Canela RS in Caracol Park” taken by Marciobrandi and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
