Welcome to week 41 of my weekend hobby. Today’s creature come from Central America, and it’s famous enough that people in this country dedicated a post stamp to in in 1991.
One more nice fact bout today’s creature is that its name is a mix of the Yucatec Maya word “Tata” meaning Grandfather/old and “Duende” from the Spanish word for goblin. Having a Maya word is awesome, but even just the Spanish side is super interesting too. Wiki says, “duende” originated from the Spanish phrase “dueño de casa” or “duen de casa”, (a house owner), originally conceptualized as a mischievous spirit inhabiting a house.
The origin of the myth is unclear, but some say it could be a Mayan story that originated after indigenous encounters with spider monkeys. The story says Tata Duende (Nukuch Tat in Mayan) or Dueño del Monte, as know in other countries, has a special interest in children, the only way to escape him would be if you hide your thumbs and show only your four fingers. Tata Duende would think you are like him and would let you go.
Watch out for the Duende as you walk through the woods, hide your thumbs, and have a happy weekend!
Sunday Sketchbook 