A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.
Overview
Cubero Vásquez and Villanueva Monge's 2020 teaching article describes a short, hairy, red-eyed figure whose simian face, cries and claws terrify night travellers. Its adapted tale follows a husband who discovers that his wife removes her skin before going out. Blessed salt prevents her from putting it back on, and she returns to the forest. The authors identify earlier 2010 retelling and video sources for their classroom synthesis.
Ronal Vargas Araya's separately credited 2020 Guanacaste retelling makes a jealous witch's curse responsible for the transformation; the husband carries the skin home and salts it. A 2026 song by La Pájara Pinta deliberately changes the outcome. Christian Jiménez explains that the frightening character chooses another life, with the music moving from a minor to a major key. María Mayela Padilla contributes her voice. This redemptive ending is a contemporary creative choice.
Origins & earliest records
The dated 2020 witnesses document regional retelling and educational use, without proving the first appearance of La Mona. Vargas proposes Chorotega ancestry, but this profile does not treat that assertion as an established historical origin. The 2026 song's credited new ending belongs to modern adaptation, not a newly discovered ancient variant.
Records & interpretation
The complete community retelling, the university article's narrative on printed pp. 22–23 and the 12 August 2026 interview report were inspected. The academic text labels its story an adaptation, rather than an independently recorded eyewitness account. The song and animation were not played; musical and narrative choices are attributed to their creator's interview.
Selected bibliography
Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.
- 01
La leyenda guanacasteca 'La Mona': estrategia didáctica para el desarrollo del pensamiento crítico y la competencia cultural desde el aula universitaria
InterSedes 21(43):11–31; adapted narrative, pp. 22–23.
- 02
Leyenda de La Mona
Community author's Guanacaste retelling, 25 October.
- 03
La mona
Authored song adaptation documented by creator interview; not listened to here.
Family & connections
A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- ResearchCubero Vásquez and Villanueva Monge: La leyenda guanacasteca La Mona (2020)Research access: 2026-10-05
- CommunityRonal Vargas Araya: Leyenda de La Mona (25 October 2020)Research access: 2026-10-05
- Primary textAshley Quesada: La Pájara Pinta transforma la leyenda de La mona (12 August 2026)Research access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.
