The Multicultural Center set up a booth in the Reng Student Union for Hispanic Heritage Month to share the stories of famous Latin American urban legends, such as La Sayona, El Silbón, La Llorona, among others. 

Jade Garibay-Dealtan, a junior finance and business major from Los Angeles, organized and led the event as Hermana y Hermano’s president. 

“We chose urban legends because it is close to Halloween time. Most of them are not proven true. There are some sightings, evidence for it, but it’s just a fun, interesting thing for people to learn more about,” Garibay-Dealtan said.

Most urban legends are designed to keep children out of trouble and prevent people from misbehaving. La Llorona is one of the most famous of these folk tales.

Also known as the Weeping Woman, La Llorona is said to wander near lakes and rivers looking for her lost children, whom she drowned herself. She is often used as a cautionary tale to warn children against misbehaving and wandering alone at night. 

Garibay-Delatan also shared stories about the Cabeça de Cuia river monster, the La Sayona spirit, which takes revenge on cheating men, and the whistling devil, El Silbón. 

Garibay-Dealtan says sharing culture is important, especially now.

“I think it’s important not only because of what is happening around the world right now, but also just to keep the culture alive, and because the United States is diverse and there is a high population of Hispanics here,” Garibay-Dealtan said. “I think it’s important to still share the experience with other people, other cultures, and to allow and encourage people to learn and share.”

The Multicultural Center has hosted several events highlighting Hispanic Heritage Month, and has more planned before it ends on Oct. 15. 

A Hispanic Leadership Panel is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6 in the Spring River Room of the student union. A game of Loteria will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9 in the St. Francis River Room of the student union. To close out Hispanic Heritage Month, a student-led panel on culture and identity will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20 at the Multicultural Center in the student union.

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