LEGENDS OF THE AMERICAS

 

Chiruma (Guatemala) by Raquel Benatar

Illustrated by Vivi Escriva. When people come to the Chisay River to destroy its natural habitat, Mother Nature reacts by drying it up until a respectful young man humbly asks for permission to dip from its wealth and is granted authorization.

El cuervo Hob(Guatemala) by Raquel Benatar

Illustrated by Alison Dubois The inhabitants of Nejab feed themselves with fruits and potatoes until Hob's appearance, a raven that plants corn grains in the fields. This beautiful legend from Guatemala traces the origin of corn.

El Joven Ollac (Peru) by Raquel Benatar

Illustrated by Ruth Araceli. Ollac is a young peasant who lives alone in a small village. His only passion is his daily visit to a mysterious cave where he finds his ancestral roots. When confronted with the Spirit of Nature, he refuses wealth in favor of his heritage and the wisdom of his ancestors. This is a touching Peruvian legend about the preservation of the cultural heritage.

El nacimiento de Irupe (Paraguay) by Raquel Benatar

Illustrated by Ruth Araceli. In a village by the Parana river lived some guarani families. The women were beautiful. The men were courageous warriors. One day, Pita jumped into the river to show his love for Morati. Pita disappeared in the river where the ondina lived. This is a Paraguayan legend about the origins of the Irupe, a beautiful flower that symbolizes purity and love.

Galipote y los caminantes (Dominican Republic) by Raquel Benatar

Illustrated by Ana Lopez. If you don't know the magic words, do not take a night stroll in the Dominican Republic or you might find yourself face to face with the Galipote. Who or what is the Galipote is told in this funny legend of the Dominican Republic.

Gray Feather (US) by Cesar Vidal

Illustrated by Pablo Torrecilla.After weeks without finding game, Gray Feather's tribe has neither food nor hides to keep warm. In this captivating Native American legend, the Great Spirit comes to the rescue of his people by giving them the gift of the horse that will help provide them with mobility and the ability to hunt.

Itza the Boy and Jaguar (Mexico) by Leonard Bernard

Illustrated by Sheli Petersen. Itza, a Mayan Indian boy living on the edge of the Yucatan jungle, takes a night time ride on the Jaguar-King. Ultimately each creature learns from the other. A poignant Mexican tale about humbleness and respect.

La isla encantada (Panama) by Raquel Benatar

Illustrated by Ruth Araceli. Long ago, during Carnival an enormous fish was stuck between the narrow banks of the Tuira river. People killed the fish and its remains were covered with vegetation. With time the place became an enchanted island, known today as Panama. The legend says that it is dangerous to bath on the island during Carnival.

La serpiente gigante (US) by Celia Moyano

Illustrated by Adrian Rubio.In the faraway lands of Sonora live eight Yaqui tribes. The people pray to the old tree where the history of all their ancestors is kept. When a huge snake threatens to destroy it, the Yaqui tribes unite to defend their heritage. A legend about freedom and the preservation of cultural heritage.

Madremonte (Colombia) by Raquel Benatar

Illustrated by Jock MacRae. An old lumberjack tells his son not to bring down more trees than necessary because the Madremonte, protector of Nature, will punish those that do not respect and care for Nature. This is an educational Colombian legend about ecology and conservation.

Magali (Mexico) by Sheli Petersen

Illustrated by Petersen.The goldsmith's newborn son is to be blessed by Magali, the town's wise woman. With the help of her grandchild, she performs the rites of passage and the mysterious offerings to the gods. This is a poignant Aztec legend about family values and the preservation of the cultural heritage.

Spirits of the Mountain (Bolivia) by Raquel Benatar

Illustrated by Adrian Rubio. In a small village hidden in the mountains of Bolivia live a few families dedicated to dye the wool from which clothes and blankets are made. A Bolivian legend about the rewards of hard work.

Sumpa Giants (Ecuador) by Raquel Benatar

Illustrated by Ana Lopez. Giants land in the Santa Elena peninsula where leads a cruel governor. The giants bring hope to the natives until they are proven wrong and a fierce battle for freedom begins. This is a legend from Ecuador about slavery and the search for freedom.

Tale y el secreto de la laguna (Honduras) by Raquel Benatar

Illustrated by Adrian Rubio.This legend from Honduras shows how days and nights were created to provide life on earth. It is also the poignant story of Tale, a little curious girl, who sacrifices her life when trying to uncover the well kept secrets of the fish who live in the clear waters of the pound.

Voladores (Mexico) by Patricia Petersen

Illustrated by Sheli Petersen. No one knows the origin of this legend, one of the oldest in Mexico. The four voladores symbolize the sun's rays shining on the four corners of the world and the flight of the voladores insures the continuation of the seasons and the sacred cycles of life.