La Segua: The She-Devil of Costa Rica

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 17^th 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.

Costa Rican Ghost Tales

Costa Rica located in Central America has many rich traditional ghost stories. These ghost tales normally impart some kind of morale lesson and they often reflect religious beliefs. 

Three of these stories are entitled, Ox-less Cart, Cadejos and Headless Priest.

A nice animated video at the end of this post shows parts of each of these stories--plus a scene from one other classic Costa Rican ghost story. This video is in Spanish but since the main character is running from one fright to the next without words, no translation is necessary to understand the action.

 The Ox-Less Cart

When Costa Rica’s capital city, San Jose was still a small village a thief incurred the wrath of the church, which condemned him to ride an ox-less cart for eternity. 

The villagers were busy repairing their church-- it needed new columns, altars and saints. The men went out one night under a waning moon when the sap on the trees is at the lowest point in order to cut down several Sour Cedar Trees. They brought the wood back to the village and had it blessed and then laid it out to dry. 

Shortly after this a man who was a loner from the mountains came into town and stole the wood. He needed it to build a house for himself.

But a strange thing occurred when he finished loading the wood on his cart, his oxen refused move. The man whipped them until they bled and could take no more. 

Slowly the oxen pulled the stolen wood up the mountain. The man then built himself a house and used the extra wood to build a new cart. But the blessed wood only brought him bad luck and his oxen would not pull the new cart. 

The man became ill and died. Ever since, people say Saint Jose cursed him. His lifeless corpse is often seen in a cart as it careens down the road. No oxen pull it--for they were blameless.

Cadejos

Cadejos is the name of a demon dog that appears at night. The sound of chains is heard being dragged behind it but they are never seen. This dog is the size of a small calf with matted hair, giant fangs and sizzling red eyes. 

This apparition when seen scares people but it is actually benevolent, for it is said it helps drunken men at night arrive home safely. This dog protects these men from other night threats, such as, La Llorona or common thieves. 

In other Latin American countries this demon dog is good if it is white in color, bad if it is black in color.

Headless Priest

Once again this tale is about drunken men. This headless priest is know as, “ El padre sin cabeza”. One late stormy night during colonial times a peasant wandered the deserted village square. Too drunk to continue walking he sat down upon a bench. 

The wind picked up dead leaves landing them on his feet. As he bent down to brush them off he noticed there were lights still on in the church. He was startled to hear music coming from its open doors. 

He slowly entered the church and quietly passed by the rows of benches. Near the front of the church he spotted a figure of a priest giving a mass in Latin.

Finding himself in a trance he approached with an urgent need to relieve himself of the burden of his sins. As the priest turned he was horrified to see where his head should be was a stump. 

The peasant cringed as the priest held out its bloody head in his direction. Struck dumb, the man fled the church overwhelmed by what he had seen. With time he regained his voice and changed his sinful ways.

Here is the short animated video film entitled, “Asusto” meaning fright or scare. Pablo and Francisco Cespedes created this film.