Paranormal Pajama Party

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Episode 16: The Ciguapa

Stephanie Summar

Danger in the Dominican Republic

Originating from the Dominican Republic, the ciguapa has long captured the imagination of storytellers and scholars. But beyond her mythical allure, she serves as a profound symbol of Dominican identity and resilience in the face of oppression.

At first glance, the ciguapa may seem like just another fantastical being, with her backward-facing feet, golden or blue skin, and mesmerising black eyes. But a closer examination reveals layers of meaning deeply intertwined with the history of the Dominican Republic and its diverse people.

This episode of Paranormal Pajama Party traces the backwards footsteps of the ciguapa through the historical context of colonialism and nationalism that’s shaped her narrative.

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The long battle for independence

The history of the Dominican Republic is marked by a long and arduous battle for independence from colonial powers. From the Spanish conquest to the Haitian occupation, and later, the struggle against European imperialism, Dominicans have faced numerous challenges in asserting their sovereignty and self-determination.

The ciguapa’s elusive nature and resistance to captivity mirror the story of the island’s maroon communities, which were mainly made up of people escaping slavery and fighting colonial oppression.

Mythical beings and oppression

She’s not the only mythical creature with relevance to this discussion, either. Zombies, originating from Haitian folklore, and mermaids, prevalent in Caribbean mythology, also hold significance in understanding the experiences of oppressed peoples in the region.

Zombies, originally depicted as reanimated corpses controlled by sorcerers, emerged from an effort by enslaved people to understand their horrific situation –  what the UN has called “the greatest crime against humanity committed in… the modern era”. The zombie’s lack of agency symbolises the dehumanisation and exploitation of enslaved Africans during the colonial era.

Mermaids, too, are associated with the tragic stories of enslaved individuals who attempted to escape captivity by jumping overboard during the long voyage across the Middle Passage from Africa to the Caribbean.

All three of these beings – the ciguapa, the zombie, and the mermaid – serve as reminders of the profound impact of colonialism and slavery on Caribbean societies.

Nationalist tool?

The ciguapa also reveals how folklore can both serve nationalist narratives and ideologies and also – in the right hands – thwart those same ideas.

The ciguapa originally represented a cautionary tale within colonial and nationalist discourses about the disruption of white lineage, posing a direct challenge to the preservation of whiteness and the perpetuation of white power structures by seducing and leading white men to their demise.

But the fascinating thing about the ciguapa is that her story has undergone reinterpretation and adaptation, particularly in contemporary literature and storytelling. These days, she’s portrayed as a defiant, unconfined figure who challenges historical narratives of subjugation… by tearing them to pieces.

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