Tata Duende

The Tata Duende or El Dueño del Monte is a supernatural creature appearing in cultural folklore stories, mostly evident in Creole cultures. Tata Duende is considered a powerful spirit that protects animals and the jungle, though it is believed to lack thumbs. There are many stories that have been passed on from generation to generation, to warn against this spirit. This creature has appeared on a postage stamp of Belize as part of a series on Belizean folklore. The name Tata Duende comes from the Yucatec Maya word "Tata" meaning Grandfather or old and the word "Duende" is Spanish for goblin. The Spanish term duende originated as a contraction of the phrase dueño de casa or duen de casa, "possessor of a house", and was originally conceptualized as a mischievous spirit inhabiting a house. It is said that if you encounter him in the forest, you must show your hands with the thumbs hidden or he will break them off. Yet, he is regarded as a caring spirit.