Tag Archives: long hair

Grandma’s Superstitions

AGE: 20

DATE OF PERFORMANCE: 04/01/2025

LANGUAGE: English 

NATIONALITY: Taiwanese-American 

OCCUPATION: Student 

PRIMARY LANGUAGE: English 

RESIDENCE: San Jose, CA

INTERVIEW SUMMARY:

When asked if there were any particular horror stories or tales, fables, etc. that she grew up hearing as a kid to prevent bad behavior, MS shared that her grandmother loved to tell tales surrounding hair—specifically having long hair.

A lot of the stories she shared, if not all of them, had some connection to do with death or getting hurt in some way.

Interviewer: Could you provide some examples of tales she would tell you?

MS: “Sure. I’m not sure if this is true or not, but there was one tale she told where this lady got clamped down by the train doors because her hair was too long. Another was this lady who was cooking with her hair down and got hurt.”

Interviewer: Are there any distinct superstitions that she shared with you or that you grew up hearing too?

MS: “She would say to not walk over drains because people have fallen through before. And also not to walk under tall buildings because something can fall or drop and kill you.”

PERSONAL INTERPRETATION:

It’s really interesting to hear superstitions that other people believe. We’ve discussed in class that there’s no distinct reason why one’s believes what they believe, but I think culture and the environment around you definitely play a part in it. In the case of hair, some cultures have very important connections to their hair. While both MS and I were not entirely sure of why in particular her grandmother had so many stories related to hair, I think it plays a role in her deep infatuation with warning tales of that nature. There are also a lot of horror tales and folklore surrounding a woman with long hair and something related to death or injury. After all, people always say hair holds memories.

Legend – El Salvador

Nationality: Salvadorian
Age: 59
Occupation: Doctor
Residence: Los Angeles, CA
Performance Date: March 15, 2008
Primary Language: Spanish

La leyenda dice que cerca de los rios, aparecia una mujer con un pelo muy largo y grandes pechos. Bien chichuda. Esta mujer se tiraba carcajadas, se reia constantemente. El proposito de ella es asustar a los hombres y las mujeres. Pero lo mas importante de ella es que atraia los hombres, solteros y casados, porque se miraba muy

hermosa. La persona que se la acercaba y la tocaba, se volvia loca. La gente salia corriendo cuando oian la risa.

Legend says that near the rivers, a woman would appear with long hair and big breast. She had huge boobs. This woman would laugh constantly. Her main purpose was to scare men and women. But, the most important trait of hers was that she attracted men, single and married, by her beauty. The person that would get close to her and touch her would become crazy. People would run away when they heard the laughter

My mom told me that she learned this legend from his parents when she was about 8 years old. She told me that this legend is very common and that most kids learn it from their parents. Parents would tell them the legend because they really believe she exists and also they did not wanted their kids becoming insane because they went near La Siguanaba. She used to live in a town in El Salvador called Cuscatancingo and there is a river near the town. She told me that she also believes that La Siguanaba exist although she has never witness her in person. She has heard stories of her friends or relatives that have seen her. One of her friend’s uncles was mentally ill and they blamed la Siguanaba. She told me that before, the uncle was a normal guy and one day he became insane when he was by the river. She is certain that La Siguanaba exist.

I believe that this is just a made up character and she does not actually exist. She is made to be very beautiful in order to attract the male sex mostly. I think that there is a lesson here although not many people noticed they are applying it. The legend says that she attracts males and that if they come close to her, they become insane. The lesson portrayed here is that men tend to be attracted to beautiful woman but they should beware and not get close just because she is pretty, she can turn out to be harm in life. Also, if the person is married, that would assume that he could be a potential cheater and that is bad to cheat. I believe that she is laughing constantly to portrayed that cheating first seem to be a happy and exciting life, but it could in fact lead to disaster. I have heard other versions of the story and she appears to always be wearing white or light colors. I believe wearing the light colors make more impact as she is assumed to be by the river and is bathing and men could see through her dress, attracting them more to get close to her. I think this legend is told for many reasons. First of all, it is very interesting. Secondly, it was a method for protecting children from danger by telling them no to be careful when they are buy the river. And Lastly, I believe it is told to scare men out of cheating. Although it is a very interesting legend I still believe that she does not exists.