The Duende
In Spain and across Latin America, people tell of duendes, small house spirits who hide things, tangle hair and live in the walls.
What was reported
In Spanish folklore, a duende is a small, mischievous being who lives in houses, sometimes in the walls or under the floor. Duendes hide objects, make noises, knot hair and play tricks, but may also help around the house if treated well. The name comes from 'dueño de casa', owner of the house.
The tradition travelled to Latin America and the Philippines, where duendes are often linked to forests, ant hills and gardens. In Spanish culture, 'duende' also means the mysterious emotional power of great flamenco performance.
Explanations offered
Duendes are figures of folklore, and like many household spirits they have long been used to explain lost objects and unexplained noises in old houses.
- When
- Told for centuries
- Where
- Andalusia, Spain
- Witnesses
- Spanish and Latin American tradition
- Status
- Legend
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.