The festivity of All Saints has imported, for a few years, the Anglo-Saxon tradition of the night of Halloween. On October 31, people of all ages dress in a terrifying way and enjoy a night of fear thanks to the many activities that are held in private venues or publicly, such as the case of the tunnel of terror proposed by the Dénia City Council .
But beyond the zombies, vampires or witches, the Valencian tradition also has its own monsters, which sowed fear among the youngest ones a few years ago and that now, thanks to different initiatives, return to the collective imagination.
Just a few weeks ago, more than 800 schoolchildren from Dénia could enjoy the campaign of reading animation about monsters from the book La Maria does not tea for, by Francesc Gisbert. This campaign was carried out in the Social Center, where the exhibition was installed Els nostres monstres.
There they were able to discover characters like Moro Mussa, a traditional character of our mythology who is said to be traveling accompanied by his black cat and with a snake coiled in his body.
He also appeared on the scene Butoni, a species of monster, or demon, a habitual personage in the bestiary of the Valencian imaginary, that is dedicated to make mischief, and gives fear to the small children.
And who does not remember the Sack man? It is said that he kidnaps the children by putting them in a sack. It is usually represented as a man who wanders the streets with a sack in search of lost children. It is one of the stereotypes of being with which the creatures are afraid.
Among the monsters of the Valencian bestiary, the Quarantamaula, a mysterious creature, of demonic origin, a fantastic being that served to scare the children when they behaved badly.
And we must not forget the Gambosins, a species of little men, although another one considers them animals, that live hidden in the forests that are near the towns. They like to approach the villages to observe the people of the town and imitate their gestures and actions. They also usually approach camping areas or areas with funds and tables to eat. When they find someone they make fun of him. Some say they have a tail, others that howl and dance to the full moon; and others consider them capricious goblins.
They are joined by Donyets, Cuca Fera, l'Home dels Nassos, els Gegants or Les Bruixes. In short, a reminder to be proud that our tradition also has monsters, stories and legends related to fear.
