El Paso’s Scariest Childhood Stories Include La Lechuza

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month to all my fellow Hispanics! There are plenty of ways to celebrate our culture, but because I'm a fan of all things spooky, I like to celebrate a little differently.

After all, Hispanic Heritage Month falls right in the middle of spooky season, and if there's one thing Hispanic families know how to do, it's tell a good scary story!

I'm talking about those terrifying stories our abuelitas told us growing up. The ones that were supposed to teach us a lesson but instead left us traumatized well into adulthood.

For me, there's one Mexican folklore legend that still gives me the creeps, and it's the reason I sometimes get nervous whenever I see an owl.

Mexican Folklore Is Filled With Terrifying Legends

If you grew up in a Hispanic household, there's a good chance you heard stories about El Cucuy, La Llorona, or El Chupacabra.

These legends have been passed down for generations, and for many of us, they were our first introduction to horror. Of course, our abuelitas usually had a lesson hidden in those terrifying stories. Don't wander off alone, don't misbehave, and whatever you do, DON'T go outside after dark or whistle!

That last warning brings me to one of the creepiest legends in Mexican folklore, La Lechuza.

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The Legend of La Lechuza in Mexican and Texas Folklore

According to Mexican and Texas folklore, La Lechuza is a witch who can transform into a giant owl. Depending on who's telling the story, she might even have the face of a woman!

The legend has been passed down through generations, including in communities along the Texas-Mexico border.

As the story goes, La Lechuza hides in trees at night, whistling or sometimes imitating the cries of a baby to lure unsuspecting victims outside.

And if you fall for it? La Lechuza swoops down and carries you away!

Some versions of the legend even claim she follows cars traveling down deserted roads at night.

Now imagine hearing THAT as a child!

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Why the Legend of La Lechuza Still Scares El Pasoans

My abuelita always warned us that seeing a Lechuza was never a good sign. And if you ever spotted one, there was only one thing you were supposed to do.

Cuss it out.

Yes, according to my abuelita, the best way to scare away La Lechuza was to start yelling every bad word you knew!

I remember one night when we actually spotted what we believed was La Lechuza sitting in a tree in our yard. Our neighbor even came running over with a shotgun, ready to take care of the situation!

Thankfully, the owl flew away before anything happened, but I'll never forget the sound of those wings flapping as it took off.

Now, as an adult, I know La Lechuza is just a folklore legend, and that owl was probably an innocent bird minding its own business.

But my abuelita definitely knew how to put the fear of La Lechuza in me!

And I'll admit, every now and then, when I see an owl, I still yell out the F-word as loud as I can.

You know, just in case.