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Dominican Republic Myths and Legends Page 4
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VooDoo Curse on the Cincinnati Red's
It was said that pitcher Pedro Borbon (he was into voodoo, curses and cockfighting) of the Cincinnati Red's (said to be one of the finest pitching arms to ever come from Dominican Republic) was so angry at being traded in 1979 that he put a voodoo curse on the Reds that lasted 10 years.
When the curse was finally lifted Borbon said, "Yeah, I lifted it. I told everybody when they traded me that I was putting a curse on them and they'd never win again. The people who did me wrong are not with the team any more, so now I don't care if they win."
The 1990 Reds finally won their first game. Was this because of the hex that Borbon lifted or just because they played well? We will never know for sure.
More about Dominican Baseball here.
Magnetic Pole/ Polo Magnetico (or Magnetic Hill)
There was an old man in his 90's that seems to have all the "facts" about Polo Magnetico, according to him when he was interviewed by Dominican newspaper El Caribe in 2003. This "expert" says things move up this hill because of the two underground mines that are found here. One is a petroleum mine and the second is a sulfur mine. According to him, and the locals, objects here move uphill. A car left out of gear will appear to be rolling uphill. A bottle or ball left on the road here will also mysteriously roll up hill.
This place that is magic is located in the Barahona providence of Dominican Republic along the Cabral-Polo highway. This stretch of road is between the towns of the Auyamas and Polo. It is on a hill called La Cueva/ The Cave. The only thing that marks the place where this natural phenomenon takes place is a sign placed there by the Brugal (rum) Company. There are pale remnants of a painted circle with a yellow dot in the center. This is all that marks the spot, this and people standing around watching the happenings in amazement.
Now you may wonder what causes things to magical roll uphill on their own. In truth, it has nothing to do with magnetic fields, electricity or unknown mysterious forces. The slope of a magnetic or gravity hill is an optical illusion. Gravity has nothing to do with what happens here. The most important thing contributing to this illusion is an obstructed (or mostly blocked) horizon. If there is no horizon it can make judging the slope of a surface very difficult. There is no reference point. Objects that normally seem to be more-or-less perpendicular to the ground (such as trees) may actually be leaning, thus misconstruing your visual reference. Since we do have a sense of balance to determine the slope of the ground, visual clues can override this sense, especially if the incline is slight. So, whatever name we give it, Magnetic Hill, Gravity Hill, Mystery Hill or Electric Brae it is an optical illusion. One of the hundreds of known gravity hill locations around the world.
For me, I prefer to blame it on folklore, the mysteries of nature and the supernatural. It makes life a little more enjoyable and mysterious....
Joaquín Amparo Balaguer Ricardo
Born September 1, 1906 -- Died July 14, 2002. Balaguer was the President of the Dominican Republic from 1960 to 1962, from 1966 to 1978, and from 1986 to 1996. It was said that as long as Balaguer had his hat on that there would never be a major hurricane. The story is told that he made a pact with the Virgen de la Altagracia. During all his times being president there was never a natural disaster that he had to deal with. (the hat on could mean a real hat or maybe the proverbial hat meaning he was still in charge).
Once when Balaguer had a heart attack the island was hit with a small hurricane. The Dominican people believed he had died and they were not told as this is the only way that this hurricane would have hit the island.
I was told by friends of mine that the people were truly afraid when he did die in 2002. Many believed that soon after there would be a giant catastrophic event in Dominican Republic. It is said that he was buried with his hat on so the island will still be protected until it rots in the grave.
There are a few other mysteries surrounding Balaguer. He wrote poetry and many works of literature. One of these books was called Memorias de un Cortesano. Balaguer, in this book stated that he knew the truth about the controversial death of the revolutionary journalist Orlando Martínez. This book had a blank page in the center. He said that when he died the page would be filled.
The page in the book is blank to this day...
Culture, Traditions and More
Traditions | Myths and Legends | Superstitions | Religious Beliefs | Celebrations of Patron Saints |
Lolito Flochón
This middle class plumber - mason has had a place in Dominican folklore since the late 1800's.
The story goes that Lolito Flochón was a middle class laborer who was working of the reconstruction of the main altar of the first Cathedral of the Americas, Metropolitan Basilica Santa Maria la Menor, (Altar Mayor de la Catedral Primada de América, Basílica Metropolitana de Santa María la Menor) in 1877 under the supervision of Padre Francisco Xavier Billini. In his reconstruction work he came across what was thougth to be the remains of the discoverer of the Americas, Christopher Columbus, in a casket under the altar. This fact was never really confirmed but it really did not matter. The President at that time, General Ulysses Heureaux was so happy about the find he offered to grant Lolito whatever reward he would like for this wonderful discovery. Lolito replied that he wanted to lead the Carnival celebrations.
The wish of the laborer Lolito Flochón was granted. This iconic and unique character was blessed by the City Council to authorize the opening of the carnival. Since then no one could start Carnival partying without Lolito Flochón giving permission and leading the way.
Before this time in history Carnival was divided into two different celebrations, the upper and lower class each had their own separate celebrations. With the reward granted to Lolita it brought both classes together to make it one grand celebration for all people.
It was said, "Columbus discovered America and Lolito discovered Columbus."
Lolito, a common man, laborer, mason, of humble social class found his place in Dominican history.
So when you see this nostalgic figure, a uniquely dressed silly looking man in big yellow glasses, try to imagine how happy he was dancing and partying in front of the carnival procession. All because he found a casket in the alter.
The Go Santo Domingo Ciudad Colonial Carnaval mascot statue of Lolito Flochón
(click image to see all the Colonial Zone Carnival pictures)
Abad Alfau y la calavera/ Abad Alfau and the Skull
At the Iglesia y convento de Santo Domingo / Church and Convent of Santo Domingo there was a wall that has long been torn down. In 1905 when this wall was still there was a little niche. Inside this niche was a human skull. Written below the skull was this saying.
"Oh tú que pasando vas
Fija los ojos en mí
Cual tú te ves yo me ví
cual yo me veo tu te veras"
Roughly translated to mean
"Oh you who are passing by,
fix your eyes on me,
the way you look I used to look,
the way I look, is the way you will."
I have no idea why this skull was there or who it belonged to but it was there as it had been for quite some time. This eyeless white skull with its lifeless grin would smile at all who passed. Noone paid it much attention until one evening after the street lamplighters passed lighting the lamps in the streets this lifeless skull came to life!
A neighbor was walking by as he did every night going to his home when he heard a noise. He turned and there was the skull. IT WAS MOVING! It was nodding its bodyless head to and fro all the while grinning and making
Folclore de la República Dominicana/ Folklore of the Dominican Republic
El Bacà | Los Biembiens | Bruja | Ciguapa | Chupacabra | El Comegente | El Cuco | Duendes | El Galipote - El Lugaru - El Zangano | Los Indios De Las Augas | Nimitas | La Jupia | Ratoncito Pérez | Sirens | Lolito Flochón | Abad Alfau and the Skull | Balaguer and his Hat | Magnetic Pole/ Polo Magnetico (or Magnetic Hill) | VooDoo Curse on the Cincinnati Red's |
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+click image to enlarge
Interpretation of Balaguer and the mysteries surrounding him by Artist-Illustrator Ray Wu
+click image to enlarge
Interpretation of Abad Alfau y la calavera by Artist-Illustrator Ray Wu
diabolical sounds. As is common here in Dominican Republic, the news passed rapidly between all the neighbors. People would see the skull moving at night and soon not even the bravest military personal would use that street after dark. All were terrified of this chattering skull.
After too many of the men ran in fear to the Fortaleza speaking of this frightful skull the 19 year old battalion sergeant Alfau Abad had enough. He was so disappointed and fed up with the actions of his military friends that he decided to take matters into his own hands.
The next night he had the men get a ladder and he went to the wall. The other men held their distance watching their friend in horror. Abad approached the nitch where the skull was moving and chattering. He bravely put the ladder against the wall and ascended. He drew his trusty sword and whapped that nasty thing! The skull broke and fell to the ground. When it hit a group of mice scurried from the shards running in all directions.
The next day the street sweeper cleaned up the broken skull. No one ever spoke of this skull again. The wall was torn down years later but the embarrassment of the people who ran in fear from a mice filled skull always remained.
Antonio Alfau Abad Baralt was Vice-President of Dominican Republic under President Pedro Santana from 1858-1861. (A little history of the real Alfau Abad)
