The men are bewitched, powerless to resist her seductive voice and beautiful face . . .
It is said in Cartago, Costa
Rica that men who are unfaithful to their wives best beware--an avenging
she-devil known as La Segua haunts
the streets and attacks men on their
way home from brothels in this colonial capital.
La Segua is a seductive ghost
who changes shape from a beautiful woman into a terrifying mare.
This legend states:
In the late 17th
century a woman of mixed Spanish and Indian blood fell in love with a handsome
Spanish officer who was visiting Cartago.
This officer found this young woman's pale
skin, dark hair, and jet black eyes irresistible. He told her he loved her
and promised to marry her if only she would become his lover.
She relented even though this
was against the strict moral code her family had taught.
Soon after she relented to
this officer’s request he left for Spain and never returned.
Heartbroken and overcome with
guilt over the betrayal of her family’s honor this young beauty was now cursed
and died. It is said this curse made it possible for her spirit to turn into a terrible monster.
Part of her disgrace is the
fact that besides dishonoring her family she also betrayed her people by becoming
involved with a Spaniard --who was the oppressor. She basically slept with the
enemy.
It is stated her spirit has remained for centuries. In Central America, La Segua is believed
to be a female demon. She seeks out unfaithful men and lures them to their
death.
A familiar story told is that
she waits for her victims along dark crossroads late at night. As men make
their way home from brothels or taverns, she stops them and asks for a lift on
their horse.
It is said no man can resist
her beautiful face and pleading voice. Once they agree they turn to find a
horse’s skull looking at them with a deathly grimace.
In a more modern day version
it is stated that once La Segua is in her victim’s car, she pulls out a
cigarette and asks for a light. When they turn to oblige, they come face to face
with a terrifying monster.
In both the traditional and
modern-day versions the victim then sees a blood-filled horse skull with
glowing red eyes. The shock of seeing this apparition either kills them or at the
very least persuades them to give up their unfaithful ways.
It is also
mentioned that she preys on drunks. As mentioned in other posts ghosts
preying on drunks is a common theme in Central and South America.
This story has also been used
in more modern eras to chastise improper and loose female behavior. Single
women are given the warning they should not be tempted away from their family
values, or they too will experience the same fate as La Segua.
No comments:
Post a Comment