Descubrí que Mi Abuelo Era un NAHUAL | Historias Malditas de Pueblos Mexicanos

In San Juan de las Labores, Oaxaca, a deeply held belief dictates that when one person dies, two more will follow. To prevent this 'Rule of Three,' villagers perform a ritual: a clay pot of water is placed in the church's bell tower, accompanied by prayers. This practice is believed to 'stop the angel of death' and has historically correlated with a reduction in subsequent deaths, despite medical skepticism.

The story of nurse Julián, who failed to perform the ritual after a fisherman's death, leading to the unexpected deaths of a child and another person shortly after. The community's strong belief and the observed pattern of deaths ceasing after the ritual.

Many iconic Mexican supernatural figures, such as La Llorona, Nahuales, and brujas (witches), have direct origins in pre-Hispanic mythology. La Llorona, for instance, is linked to the Aztec goddess Cihuacoatl, who warned of Tenochtitlan's fall. This deep historical connection explains the pervasive and enduring nature of these beliefs in modern Mexico.

Antonio Chapa explains that if Mexican legends have a body, the pre-Hispanic forms the skeleton. He specifically links La Llorona to the Cihuacoatl goddess from the time of Tenochtitlan.

Mexican folklore distinguishes between different types of witches. 'Momexc Pinky' are witches who detach their feet and transform into large, dark, turkey-like birds to hunt children. 'Tlaguelpuchis' are witches who transform into 'balls of fire' of various colors. These manifestations are actively observed in rural areas, with specific protective measures like placing scissors under babies' pillows.

Antonio details the Momexc Pinky and Tlaguelpuchis, their methods (detaching feet, turning into fireballs), and the local beliefs about protecting newborns with scissors. He recounts a recent event in his town where a figure resembling a woman in white with hollow eyes was photographed in trees, coinciding with a local tragedy.

The 'Carreta de la Muerte' is a spectral cart pulled by a horse, often heard in the dead of night, signifying an impending death. Its sound is deceptive: if it sounds far, it's near; if it sounds close, it's far. Those who encounter the rider describe a chilling, yet sometimes peaceful, invitation to join the journey. Religious symbols, like a rosary, are believed to offer protection.

Martin Méndez's grandfather, Don Teodoro, encountered the 'death' figure disguised as a man asking for water. After offering water, the figure revealed a skull face and grabbed Don Teodoro, leaving a permanent mark. Don Teodoro escaped by running and praying with his rosary, believing it saved his life.

In some Mexican pueblos, the Devil is referred to as 'El Fraile' or 'El Malo.' Encounters with this entity often occur at night in desolate places and can result in severe physical and mental consequences. These encounters are described as tests of faith or warnings, and ignoring them can lead to permanent disability.

Antonio recounts two family stories: his great-uncle, after offering aguardiente to a 'Charro' (believed to be El Fraile), became possessed, throwing 50kg sacks of corn like pillows before convulsing. Another story details Don Pantaleón, who was warned by a voice in a dense part of the forest (El Fraile's domain) not to pass at night. After ignoring the warning a second time, he was physically assaulted by a shadow, leaving him hemiplegic and permanently 'twisted.'

Asiwat are Mexican sirens with pre-Hispanic origins, depicted as women with fish or snake tails, believed to be consorts of the rain god Tlaloc. They inhabit lakes and rivers and are often seen as harbingers of misfortune or natural disasters, particularly floods. Their appearance is interpreted as a warning of impending catastrophe.

Antonio explains the pre-Hispanic origin of Asiwat and their role as Tlaloc's envoys. He cites stories of people seeing sirens in rivers in Puebla weeks before the devastating floods and landslides in Tesiutlán in 1999. The story of the Alchichica lagoon siren, who 'claimed' a woman and preserved a man's body, further illustrates their power.

The legend of the Nahual, a shapeshifting human, is deeply feared in some communities, associated with animal and child disappearances. The ability to transform is believed to be inheritable. The accusation of being a Nahual can lead to violent community retribution, even if the accused has a rational explanation for their suspicious behavior. However, the pattern of strange occurrences often continues, suggesting the true Nahual might be someone else, or the ability has passed on.

A listener's story from La Cañada Seca details his grandfather, a solitary man, being accused and killed by villagers as a Nahual after a baby disappeared. Years later, the grandfather's illegitimate son (the child from the photos) moves to another town, and similar animal disappearances begin, raising questions about inherited Nahual abilities.