Legend of El Lucio (The Painted Night Prowler)

El Lucio (The Painted Night Prowler) is a Colombian legend. It tells the story of a Black man who painted himself with charcoal and oil to chase after beautiful women.

According to the legend, there once lived a man in the Atlántico department. He used to go out naked at night to chase beautiful women and rape them. It is said that before going out, this man painted his entire body black using charcoal and manteca (lard or cooking oil).

(Read also: Legend of The Alligator Man)

This situation repeated itself daily. As a result, young girls began locking themselves inside their houses starting at six in the evening. Additionally, it is said that he stole cauldrons and pots from people’s homes.

The townspeople grew tired of the situation. They decided to form cuadrillas (search patrols) to hunt down El Lucio. However, no one knew that El Lucio was actually one of the people leading these very patrols. Because of this, they never found him. He himself would make sure to tell the others, “Let’s leave him alone; he won’t come out tonight.”

(Read also: Legend of El Cucacuy (The Glowing Phantom of Colombia))

It is said that a woman named Doña Pura García, who was a witch, agreed to cast a spell to catch him. She disguised herself, painting her legs and arms black, and put on a white gown. Doña Pura García enjoyed her drinks, so she invited El Lucio over to drink rum. They both got drunk. After having sexual relations, they fell asleep in her hut. It was then that a neighbor peeked inside and discovered them.

That is how the entire town found out the true identity of El Lucio. In the end, he was punished and taken to jail to answer for his crimes.