La Llorona

AGE: 21

Date_of_performance: April 10, 2025

Language: English

Nationality: Colombian

Occupation: Student

Primary Language: English

Residence: New York

Context: The story of La Llorona is one of a woman who drowned her children out of anger because of her husband’s infidelity, and took her own life after realizing what happened. Now her soul wanders forever, searching for her kids. L heard this story from his father who is an immigrant from Colombia, and in Colombia it is told she comes out around the Magdalena River. He interprets it as a cautionary tale for kids to not stay out too late at night.

Text: 

Interviewer is I. Subject is L.

I: Do you have any legends from your culture?

L: Yeah I know a lot of other cultures have this one but La Llorona is pretty well known

I: I’ve heard of that. What’s it about again?

L: It’s about this woman who lost her children and now wanders around looking for them. It’s a way to tell kids to stay away from water and to not stay out late

I: Did you believe it growing up and did your dad scare you with it?

L: Not really to be honest. But he definitely told me about it, he just didn’t bring it up after that like other Colombian parents may.

Analysis:

I think the story of La Llorona is tragic and very sad. I feel like it almost invokes a sense of empathy, for a mom who misses her children and continues to search for them. But yet I think it is very effective to keep children home and out of trouble. Although I was never told of the La Llorona growing up, I feel like if I was in a Colombian household I would believe it and obey curfews out of fear.

your so cute wat – Inside Joke

Nationality: American
Age: 19
Occupation: Stater Bros Employee
Residence: United States
Language: English

Text:

“your so cute wat”

Context:

“it originates from a old instagram post that my friend has on his account. Where one of his childhood friends commented that on the post. Me and my friends found it and thought it was hilarious. So now whenever my friends send me pictures of themselves or post something where we think they look pretty or cute. We’ll comment your so cute wat”

Analysis:

This phrase starts as something small as an instagram comment, which then quickly spreads into the informant’s friend group as a developed inside joke. It’s used in humorous contexts, but also with a deeper meaning of support and positivity between the friends. It differs from an original phrase of “you’re so cute,” where it consists of misspellings and an added word of ‘wat.’ These additions changed the phrase so it fit more with the friend group’s dynamics of support and humor, also making it unique as a comment and to the folk group itself.

The Jinn

Nationality: American
Age: 18
Occupation: University Student
Residence: Los Angeles, California

Age: 18
Date of Performance: 4/01/2025
Language: English
Nationality: American
Occupation: University Student
Primary Language: English
Residence: Los Angeles, California

Text:
“Jinns—there are evil ones, good ones, Muslim ones—they’re basically spirits. They can possess you. There are certain things you’re not supposed to do, like stare in the mirror too long, stay in the bathroom too long, or listen to music in there, especially if you’re naked. That attracts Jinns. If a Jinn falls in love with you, they can possess you, stop you from getting married, and even have children with you.”

Context:
The informant is Muslim and grew up with strong cultural and religious beliefs around the Jinn. These stories were often told in the household to reinforce behavioral norms and maintain spiritual awareness. The mention of Jinns falling in love adds a layer of romantic and paranormal tension to the legend.

Analysis:
The Jinn is a foundational concept in Islamic theology and Middle Eastern folklore, often acting as both a spiritual metaphor and a literal belief system. This legend highlights behaviors that might be seen as immodest or spiritually vulnerable, reinforcing modesty and spiritual caution. The romantic element—Jinns falling in love and disrupting relationships—adds a psychological dimension, providing an otherworldly explanation for earthly struggles in love or marriage.

El Cucuy

Nationality: American
Age: 19
Occupation: University Student
Residence: Los Angeles, California

Age: 18
Date of Performance: 3/30/2025
Language: English
Nationality: American
Occupation: University Student
Primary Language: English
Residence: Los Angeles, California

Legend Text:
“Today, I’m going to tell you about El Cucuy—also known as the Boogeyman. It’s a Spanish legend about a tall, shadowy figure who scares misbehaving children. In Spanish culture, they say El Cucuy watches you from outside your window, or even hides in your room under the bed. If you weren’t behaving, you had to run and hide in your room or he’d get you.”

Context:
The informant heard this story from older family members during gatherings, particularly when the kids were restless and waiting for food. It served both as a form of entertainment and discipline, using fear to encourage good behavior.

Analysis:
El Cucuy is a classic example of child-disciplining legends across cultures, akin to the American “Boogeyman.” In Latino households, it is commonly used to instill fear-based obedience. The figure of El Cucuy embodies abstract fear and serves as a warning against moral or behavioral failure. This version shares traits with global “dark watcher” figures like Slenderman, showing how traditional folklore adapts to modern imagery. The use of “under the bed” or “outside the window” roots the fear in a child’s intimate spaces.

Kate the Burger Murderer

Nationality: American
Age: 18
Occupation: University Student
Residence: Hayward, California

Age: 18
Date of Performance: 3/25/2025
Language: English
Nationality: American
Occupation: University Student
Primary Language: English
Residence: Hayward, California

Legend Text:
“Once upon a time, there was a Bay Area woman named Kate. She was secretly a serial killer, though no one knew. Much like Jeffrey Dahmer, she lured victims into her home and murdered them. Afterward, she allegedly ran a burger shop—this is what we heard as kids—where she sold burgers made of 70% human meat and 30% beef. She managed to make a living this way for 34 years until she was finally caught in her mid-50s. According to the legend, she owned the now-abandoned burger joint on Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley.”

Context:
The informant first heard this story as a child on the playground during elementary school recess. It was shared between classmates as a spooky urban legend tied to a local location, enhancing the eeriness and making it more believable for children. The real abandoned burger shop added a tangible anchor to the tale.

Analysis:
This legend appears to be a locally adapted variation of cannibalistic folklore, reminiscent of real-life serial killers like Joe Metheny, who allegedly served human flesh in food. The informant suggests that a classmate may have blended true crime details with imagination to create a personalized Bay Area legend. The location-based element (Telegraph Avenue) helps localize the horror and make it culturally relevant for young listeners. This legend functions as both cautionary tale and urban myth, warning of hidden danger beneath everyday appearances.