by Carlos Augusto Cervantes.
Paper presented at the VII Mexican Congress of Speleology, organized by the Mexican Union of Associations Caving in Cuetzalan, Puebla during days 2 to 5 February 2007.
In the state of Yucatan has a myth among men in the field, this is a story that mentions a man who lives in a state of savagery. Throughout the anthropological literature Similar versions have been detected in indigenous societies of southern and southeastern Mexico. The aim of this paper is to present part of the state of research on this myth and offer a preliminary hypothesis that interesting story.
In the accounts of the Wild is described with a look that is almost human. It is sometimes said that living with a partner and with others of their species, too wild. He does not speak like humans but growls like animals that are aggressive with men, abducted women and children eat. They also say that parts of cattle stealing, making fruit and other produce at harvest time.
the foregoing, the dreaded Wild exhibits conduct that appears to violate the rules of human coexistence that conflicts with nearby communities where they live. Their natural existence seems to be the ends rarely visited by the villagers. In versions of Yucatan is much related to the caves. Occasionally the Wild out of those sites and is close to the villages. When farmers go to their fields, hunting or overbuck and are approaching the limits of known space, then come the mythical character.
As part of the research method was necessary to make a review of the literature it is known that some myths are widely distributed throughout the world. Furthermore, with this action we find the likely similarities between the universal myth and its corresponding local version. Following this minimum approach strategy was consulted on a variety of sources related to the myth and found that indeed it has been recorded in many places.
The Myth of Wild Man in the World
Since ancient times the cultures of different parts of the world have recreated stories about semi-human beings who live in forests and impenetrable forests. The myth of the wild man has deep popular roots through an oral tradition, has always been present in Europe accounts and that this person lives in the immediate confines of the community. Are attributed negative behaviors such as lust, cannibalism, eating raw meat and animal behavior. (Bartra, 1998: 14-27).
Just to get an idea of \u200b\u200bthe distribution of this myth is worth to mention the Yeti, or abominable snowman, reported in China and Mongolia, the Sasquatch or Bigfoot in North America (Navarro, S / f: 295) and the mapinguary in Brazil (Shuker, 1992: 178-179). European and Aboriginal people in Australia claim to have seen the Yowie, hominid creature, hairy, like a gorilla (Ang 1996: 365). In Spain, the oral tradition scholars repeatedly point to a wild man named Basa Jaun, who lives in caverns of the forest (Marliave, 1995: 27-28). They are all part of this myth that consists of a huge set of stories.
The Myth of the Wild in Southeast Mexico
Trying to follow an order of presentation that goes from general to particular, touches include versions reported in the southern and southeastern Mexico. The first of these cases is stated that among the Mazatec who live in the northern region of Oaxaca, is a story that mentions a creature called the Wild. He lived with his wife in a cave on Hill House. It is said that the Wild was big and hairy, but his feet were turned, that is, had the fingers back. Because scared to local people, two people decided to hunt, but they failed in their attempt to see just panicked. After the experience became sick with fright. (Colombres, 1982: 37-39).
The second job is a reporter for the beginning of last century, who narrated that once the president of those years, General Porfirio Diaz, said he had killed a group of men who lived in the wild in caves located in Oaxaca . This was done because the savages had kidnapped women belonging to an indigenous group. Diaz, according to the report, said he examined the strange beings, had long hair and were very strong, but had features very human. (Anonymous, 2004:15)
The third report from the state of Tabasco, where there is a chain called El Madrigal. It is said that there lives a strange man from time immemorial is known as The Wild. Is known to be nomadic and collector. Is said to be very tall and very hairy. Living in mountain caves and communicates with grunts. Every night he does something that looks like a ritual before joining his partner. Sleep in a bed made in the crown of a tree (García, 1991: 87-88).
The fourth source was found written in a magazine that specializes in children's reading. The publication offers a number of myths as representative of Mexican nation. In this issue shows a version of the myth that says now. Notes that the Savage is great, who lives in the depths of the forest, has his feet backwards and makes a huge roar down trees to hinder its passage. Can not bend the body and has the belly open. The bullets did not hurt. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if you listen to music becomes gentle as a lamb, this is the way to dominate (Johnston, 1979, 1549).
The Myth of Wild Man in Yucatan
versions now time to present literature of Yucatan. With this objective we have examined the production of vernacular writers who best represent this activity.
The myth of the Wild Man is represented by a character called Che Uinik, forest dwellers, described as being of great body, muscular but without joints and bones. For this reason, this giant can not lie on the floor to sleep, as it would be very hard to get up. Standing or lying asleep in the tree trunk and his feet are reversed, ie, with the heels forward and toes behind. His voice is like the sound of thunder. Walking, Che Uinik, leans on a cane made from a tree trunk and can devour a person lost in the woods, which in fact is his favorite food (Peniche: 1999, 49).
Another case that has a journalist and this is a disturbing rumor in the communities of the municipality of Tecoh: a caveman, two meters tall, long hair and hairy body. Stroll at night by white roads gaps and high mountains in the deep South of the State. It has also been found in the low mountains closer to population centers. Those who have seen him swear that's awful, it looks more like a gorilla or a bear, but walking upright and listen as you go makes a hoarse gasp. Others have not seen directly, but have seen their footprints (Lopez, 2000: 97). Conclusion
The myth is a way to express and condemn the negative patterns community coexistence. The stories do not openly set out the rules violations, but if it exhibits to those who do as being undesirable, in fact, they are not considered part of the social group, then living in mountain caves or jungles. Anyway, live at the end of the known by the community. It follows that, the individual being part of the group, which commits an act of this kind can be removed or at least rejected. Indirectly are positive behavioral patterns that serve to facilitate harmony of the social and strengthen the identity of individuals and groups who share this myth.
should be noted that in this myth, the cave has a very important symbolic function, that is to represent the threshold of the indigenous world known. The natural conditions of the caves (dark depths, water and animals) are conducive to the persistence of this symbol in the worldview of indigenous cultures. For this reason the visit to the caves in indigenous areas should be done with due respect to ancient beliefs and with the permission of the inhabitants of these regions. Bibliography
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