El Cid
El Cid is the nickname of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, a nobleman and military leader who lived in the 11th century. He is considered one of the national heroes of Spain, as he fought for both Christian and Muslim rulers against their enemies. He is especially known for his conquest of Valencia, which he ruled as an independent lord until his death in 1099.
The most famous story about El Cid is the Cantar de Mío Cid (Song of the Cid), written around 1140. One of the great epics of the Middle Ages, it combines fact and fiction to portray El Cid as the perfect Christian warrior. Some of the tales it includes contrast El Cid’s honor and courage with the cowardice and brutality of the noblemen surrounding him.
One of the most memorable episodes in the epic is the legend of El Cid’s horse, Babieca. According to the legend, El Cid’s godfather, Pedro El Grande, gave him a choice of any horse from his stable. El Cid chose a weak and scrawny horse, which his godfather called Babieca (fool). However, El Cid saw something special in the horse, and trained him to become a magnificent steed. Babieca became El Cid’s loyal companion, and carried him to many victories. When El Cid died, Babieca refused to eat or drink, and died soon after.
Another famous legend about El Cid is the one of his last battle. After El Cid’s death, his wife Jimena and his knights defended Valencia from the Almoravids, a Muslim dynasty that invaded Spain. Knowing that they could not hold the city for long, they devised a plan to escape. They embalmed El Cid’s body and dressed him in his armor. They placed him on Babieca, and tied him to a wooden frame. They attached strings to his arms, so that they could move them from behind. Then, they led a procession of knights and soldiers out of the city, with El Cid at the front. The sight of El Cid’s corpse riding his horse terrified the enemy, who thought he had risen from the dead. The Almoravids fled in panic, and El Cid’s followers escaped safely.
Santa compaña
Santa compaña (holy company) is a legend from Galicia, a region in the northwest of Spain. It is a procession of souls of the dead, who roam the countryside at night, led by a living person. The living person is usually unaware of their role, as they are under a trance or a curse. They carry a cross, a bell, and a cauldron of holy water. The souls follow them, carrying candles that burn without fire or smoke.
A traditional ghost story, the Santa compaña can be identified by a heavy fog and the smell of wax in the air – as the procession carry burning candles. They themselves are not violent. But if you see them, the stories say to lie face down on the ground. Because spotting them means that either you will die, or the curse will fall onto you.
There are different explanations for the origin and purpose of the Santa compaña. Some say that they are the souls of those who died without receiving the last rites, and that they seek a priest to absolve them. Others say that they are the souls of those who committed suicide, and that they seek a burial place. Still others say that they are the souls of those who were evil in life, and that they seek to drag more souls to hell.
Gamusinos
Gamusinos are imaginary animals that are used as a prank or a joke. They are usually described as small, furry, and elusive creatures that live in the woods or the mountains. They have no fixed appearance, and can resemble any animal, such as a rabbit, a squirrel, or a fox. They are said to be very tasty, and to have medicinal or magical properties.
The prank consists of convincing someone, usually a child or a naive person, to go hunting for gamusinos. The prankster gives them a bag or a cage, and tells them to look for the animal in a certain place. They also tell them to make a specific noise, such as whistling or clapping, to attract the gamusino. Of course, the gamusino never appears, and the prankster laughs at the victim’s gullibility.
The origin of the word gamusino is uncertain, but it may come from the Arabic word gamus, meaning buffalo, or from the Latin word gamutus, meaning endowed. The legend of the gamusino is similar to other mythical creatures from other countries, such as the snipe, the jackalope, or the drop bear.
Conclusion
Spain is a land of legends and myths, where reality and fantasy blend together. Its folklore reflects its diverse and complex history, as well as its rich and colorful culture. The stories and characters of El Cid, Santa compaña, and gamusinos are just some examples of the many tales that have shaped the Spanish imagination and identity.
Quiz
Instructions: Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each.
- Who was El Cid, and what is he known for?
- What is the Cantar de Mío Cid (Song of the Cid), and what kind of stories does it include?
- Describe the legend of Babieca, El Cid's horse.
- What happened after El Cid’s death, according to one of the most famous legends about him?
- What is the Santa compaña, and where is this legend from?
- What are the main characteristics of the Santa compaña, according to legend?
- What are the different explanations of the Santa compaña’s origins or purpose?
- Describe a gamusino.
- How are gamusinos typically used in a prank?
- Why are the legends and myths of Spain important?
Essay Questions
Instructions: Respond to the following essay questions using a clear thesis and supporting evidence from the source material.
- Discuss the role of heroic figures, such as El Cid, in shaping Spanish national identity. Consider how their stories become legends and why they are significant.
- Analyze the cultural and psychological aspects of fear and superstition as portrayed in the legend of the Santa compaña. What does this legend reveal about the beliefs and anxieties of the people in that region?
- Explore the tradition of playful deception and humor as embodied in the legend of the gamusinos. How does this myth function within Spanish culture, and what does it reveal about social dynamics and attitudes?
- Compare and contrast the legends of El Cid, Santa compaña, and gamusinos, examining what aspects of Spanish culture each story reveals. How do these three distinct legends enhance our understanding of Spain's cultural narrative?
- How do these legends and myths contribute to the overall understanding of Spanish history, culture and folklore? How do they blend elements of reality and fantasy to create a unique national identity?
Glossary of Key Terms
- El Cid: The nickname of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, an 11th-century nobleman and military leader considered a national hero of Spain.
- Cantar de Mío Cid: (Song of the Cid) - A medieval epic poem, written around 1140, that tells the story of El Cid and his exploits.
- Babieca: The name of El Cid's loyal horse, known for its speed, courage, and loyalty.
- Santa compaña: (Holy Company) - A Galician legend of a ghostly procession of souls led by a living person; often accompanied by heavy fog and the smell of wax.
- Gamusinos: Imaginary, mythical creatures used in practical jokes, often described as small, furry, and elusive animals.
- Almoravids: A Muslim dynasty that invaded Spain during the 11th and 12th centuries, against whom El Cid and his followers fought.
- Valencia: The city in eastern Spain, which El Cid conquered and ruled as an independent lord.
- Galicia: A region in the northwest of Spain, known for its Celtic roots and rich folklore, including the legend of the Santa compaña.
- Folklore: The traditional beliefs, customs, and stories of a community, passed down through generations.
- National Identity: A sense of belonging to a nation, often based on shared history, culture, and traditions.
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