La campana de la Isla del Cardón

    La Isla del Cardón, está ubicada enfrente de las playas del chorizo, en la jurisdicción del Puerto de Corinto, en el departamento de Chinandega, es un lugar muy visitado por los turistas y por el pueblo nicaragüense, tendiendo que trasladarse en lancha desde el puerto, para poder llegar a la isla, es un lugar con muchos árboles y vegetación.

    Cuentan los habitantes del lugar, que hace muchos años, la familia Somoza tenía una gran casa, que visitaban con sus amigos y celebraban grandes fiestas por la noche, en esa época la isla se iluminaba, ahora no saben si esas construcciones todavía existen o se las llevo el maremoto de hace unos quince años, que arraso con el puerto y con parte de la ciudad.

    Los mismos lugareños cuentan que en el siglo pasado, por el año de 1917, enviaron desde España, una campana de bronce, para que la colocaran en la Catedral de León, en la ciudad del mismo nombre, esta campana era única por su tamaño y por su tañido, iba a ser colocada en el techo de la catedral, donde iba a ser sostenida por dos atlantes que se encuentran en la parte del techo de la catedral, a la fecha puede observarse que hay dos pares de atlantes, notando que solo un par de atlantes sostiene una campana, el otro par de atlantes no sostiene ninguna campana, porque esta nunca llego, debido a que se hundió cerca de la Isla del Cardón en el Puerto de Corinto.

    Estos atlantes fueron construidos en la época del padre: SSI Pereira y Castellón, quien después de un viaje por Europa y tierra santa, los mando a construir para que sostuvieran las dos campanas, que serian tañidas en épocas especiales, como las celebraciones de la gritería de penitencia, los entierros de personajes famosos, tal como el entierro del poeta laureado de Nicaragua: Rubén Darío, quien se encuentra enterrado en la catedral de León, siendo custodiado por un León de mármol, que resguarda la tumba del inmortal príncipe de las letras castellanas.

    Algunos de los pescadores que pescan cerca de la Isla del Cardón, comentan que por las noches cuando hay marea alta, oyen el tañido de la campana, que se encuentra a gran profundidad, en algunas ocasiones se oye un sonido muy sonoro, como si alguien la estuviera tocando, cuando hay luna llena se escuchan las campanadas de las doce de la media noche, en estos días el tañer de la campana se oye con más claridad, dicen los pescadores que los peces saltan sobre el agua, por el sonido de la campana, que yace en el fondo del canal natural del Puerto de Corinto, ese lugar es muy profundo, por esa razón pueden navegar barcos de gran callado, estas mismas personas esperan que algún día se interese alguna organización internacional e investigue si es cierto lo de la campana y de ser así, si esta se puede sacar del fondo del mar.

Autor: Lic. Salvador Guillermo Muñoz
 Mitos y Leyendas de Nicaragua, Tomo II 
 Tambien autor de Mitos y Leyendas de El Salvador, Tomo I

Via VisitChinandega.com

A nicaraguan folktale

 Nicaragua.com: La Carretanagua is considered the embodiment of Nicaraguan folklore and mythology. The tale is a blend of past realities and imaginative oral culture. Apparently, the story of La Carretanagua is based on caravans of Spaniards who conquered the land during the 16th century. As the ox carts moved through the land the Spaniards would plunder the Indian settlements, taking their gold and supplies as well as capturing slaves. Slaves were chained and led along on these journeys as the Spanish carts left ruin and death in their wake. Legend states that La Carretanagua makes his way through towns from about 1:00 am, making a racket as his ancient oxen pull his cart along. Individuals who say they have heard him in the night have discovered that one of the town's citizens is dead the next day. Those have 'seen' this mysterious entourage of oxen and lost souls say that it moves quickly and is unable to turn corners due to is cross shape, simply disappearing as it reaches the end of a road. This tale may have been created to provide Nicaraguans with a tangible understanding of death.

The Nicaraguan folkloric legend of La Mocuana is believed to be based on genuine history and it is thought that La Mocuana was a living Indian princess. Her father was hospitable to the Spanish conquerers at first but then ordered them to leave. Soon the Spanish forces returned to take over the village and take their gold. The chief of the village had hidden the treasure and his daughter, La Mocuana, was the only other individual who knew its whereabouts. During a battle between the two groups the tribe gained victory. Some time later the son of one of the Spanish soldiers came to live near the village and soon fell in love with La Macuana. She too fell in love with him and they planned to run away together. She gave him her father's treasure so that they could have something for their lives together. The Spaniard preferred to keep the gold for himself and sealed La Macuana in a cave, running away with the treasure. La Mocuana escaped through the back of the cave. The heartbroken princess began to wander the woods and was driven mad by the thoughts of betrayal and feelings of guilt. Country people say that her sad figure can be seen on dark nights. She is also said to lure drunkards and philanderers to her cave where they disappear.

Mombacho, the mysterious volcano ( Native legends - Experience Nicaragua): 

The Mombacho, whose crest is always enshrouded by mists of clouds, is the guardian of the city of Granada and all the villages around it. The old ones tell that since ancient times the peasants who live around its base have known that a natural fountain of crystal clear water exists within the volcano's crater.

Mombacho Volcano Copyright: Thinkquest Team 17749

Even though the people from the neighboring cities respect the enchanted fountain, there have been many who have disrespected it and have entered the "devil's cauldron," as the people often call the crater. But only those who know the secret of the enchantment can bear witness of the wonders which reside there. According to these testimonies, after climbing up the volcano's flank and smelling the fresh air which pervades everything, one must search for a secret path which leads down into the crater. Once you manage to reach the bottom, you will be surprised by a 200 square meter area where the most beautiful and exotic flowers and butterflies ever seen by human eyes grow. This place is called "the Pit" because it appears to be a hole in the middle of the crater. This garden is always perfectly clean as if tended by a superhuman hand, however, no one lives there. And there, from a rock in that garden, pours the pure waters of the enchanted fountain. All those who have ever drunk its water know that only a drop is required to quench even the thirst of a camel. People have been shocked to witness lions, tigers, monkeys, and all types of animals coming to drink at the same time without ever fighting or attacking each other. If someone tries to shoot these animals, they can fire as many bullets as they like at the animal and they will see it fall down and die. However, when they go to retrieve it, the animal will have disappeared leaving no trace that they were ever there. Similarly, the animals walk quite close to you so that they can be photographed, but when you put the camera to your eye they disappear. 

El Cadejo -  Topics from 192 countries:

The cadejo. There is a good, white cadejo and an evil, black cadejo. Both are spirits that appear at night to travellers: the white to protect them from harm during their journey, the black (sometimes an incarnation of the devil), to kill them.

They usually appear in the form of a large (up to the size of a cow), shaggy dog with burning red eyes and a goat's hooves, although in some areas they have more bull-like characteristics.

According to the stories, many have tried to kill the black cadejo but have failed and perished.

Also it is said that if a cadejo is killed, it will smell terrible for several days, and then its body will disappear. The folklore also tells of a cadejo that guards drunks against anyone who tries to rob or hurt them. When the cadejo is near, it is said to bring about a strong goat-like smell. Most people say never to turn your back to the creature because otherwise you will go crazy.

In popular etymology, the name cadejo is thought to have derived from the Spanish word "cadena," meaning "chain"; the cadejo is at times represented as dragging a chain behind him.

There is a fairly large member of the weasel family, the tayra, which in common speech is called a cadejo and is cited as a possible source of the legend.

Remember, this is just a legend.

Other sites with interesting Nicaraguan legends and other cultural expressions (English)

The invisible hunters

Journey to the afterlife

La Gigantona

La Virgen del Trono (El Viejo, Chinandega)

"Esta imagen que regaló la Santa Madre Teresa de Avila al nuevo mundo por medio de su hermano don Pedro Zepeda de Ahumada, llegó a estas tierras en el año 1562 por el Puerto de la Posesión de El Releajo (s. XVI). Obra sevillana española, madera policromada de vestir. Es la imagen más antigua de la Purísima en Nicaragua. Aquí nace el fervor y el amor a la Purísima Concepción de María en Nicaragua, por eso es llamada la Patrona de Nicaragua."

Descripción tomada del grupo

La Virgen del Trono
creado por Roger G. Zamora, en Facebook

Foto cortesía de Pablo Valencia Cuadra.

Lavada de la Plata

Desde los primeros días del mes, peregrinos de diferentes regiones de Nicaragua y Centroamérica comienzan a llegar a la ciudad de El Viejo, departamento de Chinandega, para participar en la Ceremonia de la Lavada de la Plata.

A tempranas horas de la mañana del 6 de diciembre, entre campanas, cohetes, música, alegría y devoción, da comienzo la ceremonia que consiste en limpiar cientos de adornos y joyas de la Virgen de Concepción hasta dejarlos limpios y relucientes.

Todas las joyas son sacadas de la nave interior de la Basílica Inmaculada Concepción de María a los jardines, donde los devotos mojan algodones con soluciones de agua y ceniza, frotando voluntariamente la plata y el oro.

La idea es que la Virgen luzca hermosa y limpia con sus joyas y traje, preparándose de esta manera para su celebración que comienza el 7 de diciembre por la noche.

El sentido de la lavada del oro y la plata es penitencial. Los devotos y promesantes realizan una limpieza interior a la vez que limpian las joyas y adornos. Cientos caminan varios kilómetros, mientras que otros entran de rodillas a la Basílica pagando sus promesas, deseosos de participar.

El 8 de diciembre, Día de la Virgen Inmaculada, la Virgen de Concepción de El Viejo recorre las calles de la ciudad. Su carroza es decorada con esmero y orgullo por los artesanos del pueblo que han venido haciendo esta noble labor para la Patrona Nacional por varias generaciones.

From the earliest days of the month, pilgrims from different regions of Nicaragua and Central America begin to arrive in the city of El Viejo, Chinandega, to participate in the Ceremony of the Cleaning of Silver.

In the early hours of the morning of December 6, between bells, fireworks, music and joy begins the ceremony which consists in cleaning hundreds of ornaments and jewels of the Virgen de Concepción until they are clean and bright.

All jewelry is removed from  the Basilica Immaculate Conception to the gardens, where devotees wet balls of cotton with solutions of water and ashes, rubbing voluntarily silver and gold.

Her chariot is decorated with care and pride by the artisans of the city who have been doing this noble work for the National Patroness for several generations.

Devotees want the Virgin Immaculate to look beautiful and clean with her jewels and clothes.

The purpose of cleaning gold and silver is penitential.  Devotees want to purify their soul while cleaning jewelry and ornaments. Hundreds walk for miles while others fall on their knees to pay their pledges, eager to participate.

Fotos cortesía de Conchita Guerra y Pablo Valencia Cuadra (ornamentos de plata).