Legend of The Man in the Big Hat (El Sombrerón)

The Man in the Big Hat (El Sombrerón) is a Colombian legend that recounts the appearance of a spirit wearing a massive hat that covers almost his entire face. This specter usually chases and frightens people during the gloomy nights.

According to the legend, when The Man in the Big Hat was alive, he was an enigmatic man who traveled from town to town dressed in black from head to toe. He always rode at a gallop on a large black horse that could sometimes be mistaken for the shadows of the night. It is said that he never harmed anyone. His death was a mystery to everyone, as no one knew how or from what he died. However, his actions after death became very well known.

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It is said that The Man in the Big Hat arrives at nightfall in the form of a black figure that can be spotted on the horizon. Then, the neighing of a furious horse and the barking of dogs dragging rusty chains can be heard.

He usually appears to drunks, night owls, brawlers, gamblers, and cheats. He ambushes them on lonely roads and begins to chase them on his great black horse, accompanied by his hellhounds, while shouting at his victim: “If I catch you, I’ll put it on you!”.

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Those who claim to have encountered this being describe him as an unusually tall man. They say an icy wind accompanies him and that his horse seems possessed by a demon. On clear, moonlit nights, this creature is easily mistaken for the branches of trees and shrubs.

In 1837, in the city of Medellín, The Man in the Big Hat became very famous. It is said that he roamed all the streets. According to tales, he would appear for four or five consecutive Fridays. He gained so much fame in the city during that time that many claimed The Man in the Big Hat was Medellín’s very own phantom.

Other Versions of the Legend of The Man in the Big Hat

Like many other Colombian and Latin American myths and legends, The Man in the Big Hat has several versions. These refer either to the same character or to similar ones.

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In southwestern Antioquia, the figure of “El Jinete sin Zamarros” (The Rider without Chaps) is well-known, and it is claimed to be The Man in the Big Hat himself. The legend is similar in almost every aspect, with only a few variations. For instance, his face is described as a skull. In other regions like Tolima or Huila, the figure of “El Jinete Negro” (The Black Rider) is known. This tells a legend identical to that of The Man in the Big Hat, which is why they are said to be the same entity.

In other countries like Guatemala, there is the legend of “El Sombrerón or Tzitzimite.” According to this legend, the creature is a sort of dwarf the size of a finger who carries a massive hat and a guitar. This being likes to woo women with long hair and large eyes. He also tends to braid their hair, as well as the manes of horses.

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In Mexico and Argentina, he is known as “El Sombrerudo” (The Big-Hatted Man), but both legends have major distinctions. In Mexico, he is described as a charro (a traditional Mexican horseman) who travels on a jet-black horse, offering riches in exchange for the souls of the innocent. He also tends to kidnap young women. In Argentina, he is described as a goblin similar to a gnome; he is very mischievous and enjoys scaring children and wooing young women.

Is The Man in the Big Hat a Legend or a Myth?

The Man in the Big Hat is a legend, not a myth, because it recounts events about a character located in a realistic historical time and place. Therefore, it is assumed that the story stems from a real account. These characteristics make it a legend rather than a myth.

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Origin of the Legend of The Man in the Big Hat

The legend of The Man in the Big Hat originates in Latin American culture. Depending on the country, region, or town where the story is told, his exact origin can change. He might be a being who died under strange circumstances and transformed into a specter, a creature of nature that enjoys interacting with humans, or a demonic entity seeking the souls of the innocent.

What does The Man in the Big Hat Look Like?

The Man in the Big Hat looks like a tall man, dressed entirely in black. He wears an enormous black hat that covers his face, appears riding a black horse, and is accompanied by several dogs dragging rusty chains.

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In other versions, it is said that his face is that of a skull, and in versions from other countries, he is said to have the appearance of a dwarf as small as a finger who, in addition to the huge hat, carries a guitar. Other versions describe him as a gnome or a goblin.

Where does The Man in the Big Hat Appear?

In Colombia, this phantom usually appears on the lonely roads of cities like Medellín. Sightings of this being have also been reported in other towns in Antioquia, such as Andes, Bolívar, and Jardín, as well as in the settlements along the banks of the San Juan and Baudó rivers. He also appears in departments like Huila, Tolima, and Valle del Cauca.