The Guajona (; ) or Lumia is a

mythological creature A legendary creature (also mythical or mythological creature) is a type of fictional entity, typically a hybrid, that has not been proven and that is described in folklore (including myths and legends), but may be featured in historical accounts ...

in Cantabrian legend, resembling a disfigured human female. It is thought to resemble one of the many forms of

witches Witchcraft traditionally means the use of magic or supernatural powers to harm others. A practitioner is a witch. In medieval and early modern Europe, where the term originated, accused witches were usually women who were believed to have use ...

and hags of medieval Europe.

Behavior

Folklore is often specific to her feeding habits. She is covered from head to toe in an old thin black cloak, her hands and feet are gnarled bird legs, her face is yellow and consumed by rough and hairy warts, her eyes are tiny and bright as stars. Her aquiline nose and mouth contain a single black razor sharp tooth that which extends long enough to be under her chin and used to suck blood. The creature only appears at night. It is unknown where she is meant to sleep during the day although it is suspected to be hiding underground. Guajona invades homes without getting noticed and walks silently toward healthy young children to suck their blood in their sleep by sticking her tooth into their veins. She does not kill them, instead leaving them almost bloodless so when they wake up in the morning they will be tired, pale and discolored. Guajona also attacks adults. This is one of the few myths or legends about vampires that exist in Spain, along with the Conde Estruch.

Etymology

Guajona is an augmentative of Guaja, present also in the neighbour Asturian mythology as Guaxa. The origin of Guaja or Guaxa could be in classical Arabic وحش ''wahsh'', meaning "beast".

Literary References

Has indicated in the legend Manuel Llano bible (Obras Completas, 1968, vol. II, p. 477). It is also quoted by

Miguel de Unamuno Miguel de Unamuno y Jugo (29 September 1864 – 31 December 1936) was a Spanish essayist, novelist, poet, playwright, philosopher, professor of Greek and Classics, and later rector at the University of Salamanca. His major philosophical essay w ...

References

Bibliography

*Adriano García Lomas, ''Mitología y supersticiones de Cantabria'', Estvdio, 2000. *Manuel Martín Sánchez, ''Seres míticos y personajes fantásticos españoles'', 2002. {{Cantabrian mythology Mythological hematophages Cantabrian legendary creatures Witchcraft in folklore and mythology