There are many legends and myths in the Central American region, as in all parts of the world. Some of these tales are similar to those in other areas, but there are a few that are unique to a specific geographic location. The legend of El Viejo del Monte (the old man of the forest) is one of the Solentiname Islands' most enduring folktales. It is a story that has been passed on for at least 100 years among the inhabitants of the Islands, and probably longer than that.
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 hunter who practiced his aim by mercilessly killing any animal who stepped in his path. Without respect for the life of the animal, El Viejo del Monte would never eat his prey , but just kill it and leave it to rot.
Partly to punish him and partly to teach him a lesson, the gods turned the man El Viejo Del Monte, into a part man/part ape-like creature and made him keeper of Solentiname’s abundant wildlife. In his new role, El Viejo del Monte is now believed to protect the numerous species of birds, reptiles and mammals that live in Solentiname from poachers and irresponsible hunters. Where he once was destructive and disrespectful, he is now a protective champion and advocate!
A single visit to the miraculous landscape of the Solentiname Archipelago will convince anyone of its unique stature in the wonders of the natural world. The moral of this legend becomes profoundly important after witnessing the splendor of Solentiname’s wildlife and beautiful landscape. The archipelago is made up of 36 islands on which white tailed deer, giant iguanas, caimans, turtles, raccoons, and howler monkeys cohabit peacefully with human inhabitants. A small disequilibrium in the delicate balance between nature and humans would result in catastrophic damage to the Archipelago. This fragile ecosystem has been in danger at numerous times in its history, and the story of El Viejo del Monte adds a perspective from traditional lore to the importance of the stability of the archipelago’s delicate natural resources.
This same Viejo personality has made a place for itself also in the modern day lexicon, as grandmothers use it to ignite fear in the hearts of children who won’t go to bed on time, and tired wives use it to dissuade philandering husbands from straying too far from home!
Much of this information was derived from http://www.solentiname.org/content/view/19/27/
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