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Superstitions and Supernatural Beings from Latin America

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Presentation on theme: "Superstitions and Supernatural Beings from Latin America"— Presentation transcript:

1 Superstitions and Supernatural Beings from Latin America
SPOOKED

2 Superstition Definition: a widely held but unjustified belief in supernatural causation leading to certain consequences of an action or event, or a practice based on such a belief.

3 Do you have any superstitions?
Consider: Sports events (playing or watching), board games, first day of school/ classes

4 Bad luck What symbols or signs can you think of that are bad luck?
Black cats Broken mirrors The number 13

5 Why Friday the 13th? Possibilities: In Norse mythology: Loki
In Christianity: Judas Surpassing the number 12 upsets balance (12 months, hours, zodiac signs, tribes of Israel, successors of Muhammad in Shia Islam) Fridays were days of Roman crucifixion

6 Is it true? Is 13 unlucky? Statistically, Friday the 13th is no more dangerous than any other day. But sometimes people do act on the superstition Many skyscrapers lack a 13th floor (check in elevators) Airports sometimes skip the 13th gate

7 Is Friday the 13th unlucky everywhere?
No! In Spanish-speaking countries, Tuesday is unlucky Tues= martes, named for the Roman God of War. It’s associated with blood and violence. Why is a Spanish day named for a Roman God? Much of Spanish and other romance languages like Italian & French are influenced by Latin. And why is that?

8 Geography and Power!

9 Sayings about Tuesdays
Martes hoy, martes mañana, martes toda la semana (Tuesday today, Tuesday tomorrow, Tuesday all week) Martes, ni te cases ni te embarques, ni de tu casa te apartes ([On] Tuesday, don’t marry or travel [by boat/plane] or leave your home)

10 What other superstitions can you think of?
Knock on wood for good luck Four leaf clovers are lucky Say ‘bless you’ when someone sneezes Wish on a wishbone, a star, an eyelash, when the numbers on the clock are the same (ex: 3:33)

11 Do superstitions serve a purpose?
There is a superstition in the U.S. that you shouldn’t open umbrellas indoors (it’s bad luck!) Do you have any guesses as to why this superstition originated?

12 Do superstitions serve a purpose?
Some say it’s because umbrella springs used to be prone to pinching fingers, so if you open an umbrella, it should be when you really need it

13 Do superstitions serve a purpose?
In Spain, some people believe in el mal de ojo—the evil eye. It’s believed that a glare could (even unintentionally) cause someone sickness. The elderly and especially infants are considered to be particularly vulnerable. How could this serve a purpose? Keeping newborns from close contact with multiple people discourages spreading of sickness

14 Supernatural Beings Definition: attributed to some force beyond scientific understanding or the laws of nature. Can you think of any supernatural beings? List them. Does everyone believe in them? Why or why not?

15 Supernatural Beings

16 What purpose could a supernatural, legendary being have?
1. )To explain something previously unexplained Ex: La luz mala (the ‘bad light’) in Argentina and Uruguay

17 Supernatural Explanation
Thought to be departed souls who have not been forgiven for their sins and have to remain on earth

18 Map: Samborombon Bay

19 Map: Samborombon Bay

20 Scientific Explanation
La luz mala IS (unlike some supernatural phenomena) definitively provable—it is without a doubt real. Can you think of any possible scientific reasons for la luz mala?

21 Scientific Explanation
Marsh gas- combustible gas created from decomposing organic material (plants/ animals) Phosphorescense from calcium salts Bioluminescence from fireflies or fungi Night reflection of the moon off of white birds such as owls

22 What purpose could a supernatural, legendary being have?
2.) To encourage or discourage a specific behavior in society Ex: The Yacumama in Peru/ Ecuador, a man-eating horned sea monster

23 Map: South America

24 Map: Peru/ Ecuador

25 Behavioral influence What possible behavior change could the legend of the Yacumama seek to change? Discourage entering the Amazon River (where real anacondas and caimans live) or other unfamiliar water bodies Encourage caution when you must enter those waters

26 American Tales Can you think of any tales of supernatural beings in America that are used to either explain the ‘unexplainable’ or encourage/ discourage specific behaviors? Are they from specific regions? Do they seem aimed at a certain set of people?

27 Tales in Latin America/ Spain
You are going to research and present on legends of supernatural beings in Spanish-speaking countries. In your presentation, consider the purpose of passing on the tale—to explain something previously unexplainable, or to encourage/ discourage a specific behavior.

28

29 Resources A word about the wonderful world of scary stories

30 Cultural Values Culture is the complex and elaborate system of meaning and behavior that defines the way of life for a group of society A culture’s values are its ideas of what is good, right, and just There are many cultures within a country, so certain values may be viewed as more desirable in different groups

31 Cultural Values Some commonly held cultural values in the U.S. (although there is debate among groups) are: Freedom (everyone—man, woman, and even child—has unalienable rights granted by the Constitution. ) Individuality/ independence (most parents’ goal for their children is to leave home at 18 and become self-reliant. Creativity and self-expression stressed in schools) Success=wealth (many of society’s heroes are well-paid—athletes, celebrities, entrepreneurs)

32 What other values can you think of?
Freedom, independence, reliance on scientific information, free speech, education for children, conformity, abundance of food/ gluttony, animals have rights

33 Cultural Values Humility Charity/ altruism Familial closeness
Conformity Academic achievement Athleticism/ fitness Environmental consciousness Trust Boldness/ spontaneity Politeness Minimalism/ simple living Materialism/ consumerism Obedience Tolerance Industriousness (hard work) Leisure Caution/ planning

34 What behavior or behaviors are being targeted by this legend?
A decent answer A Better Answer The legend of the Yacumama is trying to discourage people from going in the water. The legend discourages people from going in the water, and encourages extreme caution when entering the water if you must. This is demonstrated by the belief that you should blow a horn before entering unknown waters to ward off the horned sea monster

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