Cucuy

The cucuy or el cucuy (pronounce it coo-COO-ee) is the boogeyman of Latin American cultures. He is a frightening character believed in by some children and even by some adults. He has no specific appearance, but rather is the subject of an irrational fear.

Like the bogeyman, he may hide in a closet or under the bed, or he may come out of the dark to terrorize a child. His name may be whispered to a child by parents to frighten the child into staying close by and behaving well. "“Portate bien o te lleva el cucuy,”" a parent may say. “Behave, or the cucuy will get you.” Social sciences professor Manuel Medrano said that according to popular legend, "cucuy" is a small humanoid with glowing red eyes that hides in closets or under the bed.

The "cucuy" is known by different names to different people in Latin America, and even among Latinos in the USA. Other names include "coco", "cocu", "cuco", "chucho" and "chamuco".

According to anthropology professor Tony Zavaleta:

:One of my earliest recollections, being a little kid...is hearing the ladies raising kids always say "uy" (pronounced “oo-ee”), That sound would alert the child of danger; it would alert them to the dark side. There was something out there that could get you.

The Latin American legend remains a strong part of border folklore. According to Professor Medrano::These creatures develop a permanence by word of mouth, from generation to generation, usually from the grandmother to the grandchild. It’s got an appeal not only because it is mysterious, but also because it is a good way of maintaining a child’s discipline.

Other usage

*Honduran-American radio personality Renán Almendárez Coello hosts the show "El Cucuy de la Mañana" (“The Bogeyman of the Morning”) on KLAX-FM in Los Angeles.

*"The El Cucuy Foundation" is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity serving individuals across the United States, Mexico and Central America. Mission Statement: To serve the poor and unfortunate, regardless of race, religion or ethnic origin, by helping remove boundaries that restrict them living a less than fulfilled life. [http://www.cucuy.org/pages/about_us/AboutUs.htm]

*Danny Trejo's mercenary character Cucuy in the movie "Once Upon A Time In Mexico" is named after the boogeyman.

*Hard rock band Coal Chamber recorded a song named El Cu Cuy, available on the album Coal Chamber.

*Ska-Punk band Voodoo Glow Skulls composed a song named El Coo Cooi, present in the album Firme, in both spanish and english versions.

*Claudia Galindo, A school teacher, wrote two children's books titled "Do you know the cucuy" and "Its Bedtime Cucuy".

*George Lopez has mentioned the Cucuy in more than one of his comedy shows. Stating "if my abuela wants to come live with me, i'll put her in the Cucuy room."

ee also

*El Cuco
*Cuca (folklore)

External links

* [http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=cucuy The Urban Dictionary]
* [http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/ts_comments.php?id=P67839_0_10_0_C "The Brownsville Herald:" “El cucuy has roots deep in border folklore”]
* [http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/printDS/131842 "Arizona Daily Star:" “Cultural battle may propel Latino icons north of border”]
* [http://www.ghostdroppings.com/forum/threads.php?id=4929_0_6_0_C Ghostdroppings.com: Urban Legends]
* [http://el-cucuy.tripod.com/ “El Cucuy”]
*"¡El Cucuy! : A Bogeyman Cuento in English and Spanish". The story of two sisters who do not obey their father and are carried off into the mountains by El Cucuy. ISBN 978-0938317548