The Peruvian content creator Sebastián Witzrhol, known for his Instagram profile @puntomuerto.pe, dedicated one of his popular videos on Latin American legends to the güije.
This character from Cuban mythology resides near rivers, lakes, and swamps. The influencer claims that not only does it enjoy water, but it also terrifies people because "it feeds on human flesh and souls."
"The creature is small, with dark skin, red eyes, and a tangled mane that drips like rotten seaweed," Witzrhol describes in the video. He adds that the güije imitates human voices or animal sounds to lure its victims to the riverbanks, where it drags them into a state "between life and death."
Her interpretation, however, has sparked mixed reactions among Cuban users, with some celebrating Cuba's inclusion in her series of legends, while others questioned the accuracy of the narrative in relation to Cuban oral tradition.
Who is the güije really?
The güije, or jigüe, has been part of the Cuban popular imagination since the 19th century. The lexicographer Esteban Pichardo y Tapia mentioned it in 1836 as a “mischievous and playful” being, diminutive in size, very hairy, and fond of living in rivers and lagoons. In some versions, it is described as a little black wizard who enjoys bathing nude.
Unlike the sinister version shared by Witzrhol, the traditional güije is more of a rogue who steals, hides things, or plays practical jokes, without any intention of causing lethal harm.
In fact, on Cuban television, he became a beloved character in the children's series "El camino de los juglares," where he shared adventures with a hutia and a turtle, reinforcing his image as a playful trickster rather than a vengeful spirit.
Some anthropologists have even linked its figure to the manatee, an aquatic mammal that was once common in Cuban rivers and, due to its shape and the sounds it can make, was confused with human beings. This would have fueled the myth in communities across the island, especially in the center of the country.
The myth of the güije is reinterpreted
The Witzrhol video has accumulated over 10,000 views and fulfills its purpose of reviving forgotten legends, although in the process it reinterprets essential elements of Cuban folklore.
In its version, the güije appears as a sinister being, rather than the mythical and mischievous entity that is part of Cuban popular culture. This reinterpretation generates a mix of skepticism, nostalgia, and debate among those who grew up hearing stories about the character, recalling it with fondness rather than fear.
Legends evolve. While in its origins the güije instilled fear in those living near rivers to deter them from approaching the water at night, today in Cuba it is depicted as a small goblin that hides in the bushes, leaving surprises, laughter, questions... and the occasional prank in its wake.
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