http://www.solentiname.org

El Viejo del Monte

Guardians of the Legend

-By María Alejandra Mendieta -

A “Primitivist” representation of El Viejo del Monte by Rodolfo Arellano.

The legend of El Viejo del Monte (the old man of the forest) is one of the archipelago’s most enduring folktales. No one is exactly sure around what time the story originated, but it has been told and retold for at least the past seven generations.

The moral of the legend is a simple one—Don’t mess with nature.

It is said that the character now known throughout the numerous islands of the Solentiname Archipelago as El Viejo del Monte, used to be a merciless hunter who practiced his aim by randomly killing all species of animals who stepped in his path. Without any respect for the life of the animal, El Viejo del Monte wouldn't’t even honor his prey by eating it; he just slew it and left it to rot.

Partly to punish him and partly to teach him a lesson, the gods turned the man into a part man/part simian creature (sisimico) and made him keeper of Solentiname’s abundant wildlife. Now El Viejo del Monte protects the numerous species of birds, reptiles and mammals that live in Solentiname from poachers and irresponsible hunters. What he once disrespected and destroyed, he now protects just as viciously.

Only after witnessing the splendor of Solentiname’s wildlife and beautiful landscape does the purpose of this legend truly ring clear. On the Isla Zapote alone there exist at least 22 species of birds—Twelve that live there year-round and about 10 species of migratory birds. The archipelago is made up of nearly 40 islands on which white tailed deer, giant iguanas, caimans, turtles, raccoons, and howler monkeys cohabits perfectly with man. Any slight imbalance in the equation and Solentiname, and subsequently its inhabitants, would suffer great consequences. This fragile ecosystem has been in danger at numerous times in its history and the story of El Viejo del Monte adds a folkloric perspective to the importance of the stability of the archipelago’s bountiful but delicate natural resources.

Now, a tale that was originally supposed to instill fear in those who were not respectful of nature has extended its purpose. Grandmothers use it to ignite fear in the hearts of children that won’t go to bed on time and tired wives use it to dissuade philandering husbands from straying too far from home. This transformation equates respecting nature with respecting self and society in general.

So, try to be on your best behavior when you visit Solentiname, for El Viejo del Monte is watching you.