Guajona

The Guajona (Cantabrian: [gwaˈhona]; Spanish: [gwaˈxona]) or Lumia is a mythological old vampire witch of the traditional legends Cantabrian.

Etymology

Guajona is an augmentative of Guaja, present also in the neighbour Asturian mythology as Guaxa. The origin of Guaja or Guaxa could be in clasical Arabic وحش wahsh, meaning "beast".

Appearance

The estimated superstitious belief of this creature's appearance is an old thin black cloak that covered from head to toe with, her hands and feet are gnarled bird legs, her face is yellow with consumed, rough and hairy warts, her eyes are tiny and bright as stars, aquiline nose and mouth provided with a single black razor sharp tooth that is so long it reach down to her under chin and used to suck blood. Only comes out at night and hides in the shadows but it is unknown where she sleeps during the day although it is suspected to be hiding underground. Guajona come in homes without getting noticed and walks silently toward healthy young children asleep to suck blood vein by sticking in her tooth but does not kill them, instead leaves almost bloodless so when they wake up as tired, pale and discolored morning. Guajona also attacks the old or adults. This is one of the few myths or legends about vampires that exist in Spain, next to the Conde Estruch.

Literary References

Has indicated in the legend Manuel Llano bible (Obras Completas, 1968, vol. II, p. 477). It is also quoted by Miguel de Unamuno.

Bibliography

• Adriano García Lomas, Mitología y supersticiones de Cantabria, Estvdio, 2000.
• Manuel Martín Sánchez, Seres míticos y personajes fantásticos españoles, 2002.