This article is about creature in Central American folklore. For South Korean funk band, see Cadejo (band).
A 2011 painting by Carlos Loarca depicting el Cadejo
The cadejo (Spanish pronunciation:[kaˈðexo]) is a supernaturalspirit that appears as a dog-shaped creature with blue eyes when it is calm and red eyes when it is attacking. It roams around isolated roads at night,[1] according to Central American folklore of indigenous origin. There is a good white cadejo and an evil black cadejo. Both are spirits that appear at night to travelers: The white cadejo protects them from harm and danger during their journey, while the black cadejo (sometimes an incarnation of the devil) tries to kill them. They usually appear in the form of a large, shaggy dog (potentially as big as a cow) with burning red eyes and goats hooves, although, in some areas, they have more rough characteristics. According to the stories, many have tried to kill the black cadejo, but have failed and perished. It is said that if a cadejo is killed, it will smell terrible for several days, and then its body will disappear. Some Guatemalan and Salvadoran folklore also tells of a cadejo that protects drunk people against anyone who tries to rob or hurt them. When the cadejo is near, it is said to bring a strong goat-like smell. Turning one's back on the cadejo or speaking to it is said to induce insanity.[2]
