The Aztecs of Mexico believed in a small creature called Chaneque. It was considered a guardian and force of nature.
Myths & Legends[]
These creatures, both feared and revered, were notorious for stealing the souls of those who strayed into their domain. They would scare the souls out of the body of the trespasser, then bury it under ground. The only way to recover the soul is for the victim to undergo a specific ritual, otherwise he will fall ill and die. The Chaneque were also known to lead people astray, making the victims wander mindless around the jungle for days. Later it was believed that in order to escape the Chaneque one must wear his shirt inside-out.
Appearance[]
According to stories the Chaneque looked like small, wrinkly old men and women who lurked in the jungle.
Changes from the Conquistadors[]
When the conquistador Hernan Cortez finally subdued the Aztecs, the belief in the Chaneque was modified by the friars to sway the natives into Catholic faith. They speculated that a Chaneque was the result of the devil possessing an unbaptized stillborn child, causing it to return as a child demon that preyed on those who wandered into the jungle.
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