Nicaragua de mis recuerdos

La Carretanagua (the Nagua Cart) is one of the many legends that from generation to generation had haunted the dreams of us nicaraguans, since we were small. I have listened to different versions about its origin, but all these stories agree that this is a bewitched, noisy cart that crosses the streets of the towns in the middle of the night, taking advantage of the shadows and the fear of people.

“La Carreta Nagua is hauled by two undead oxen that slowly lead it in the middle of the night” says my friend Denys Rocha. “The legend was brought by those who came from Mexico once they lived in Nicaraguan lands. Through the years, this legend has become part of our folklore.

The first time I heard of La Carretanagua was when we lived at Candelaria Street, one of the few paved streets of old Managua, many years ago. “If you don’t go back to sleep” scolded my mother “I am going to open the door so the Carreta can come and get you”. It was at daybreak, the light was still very tenuous to be able to distinguish the objects.

Suddenly, I heard a strange noise that came from the street, similar to the bumping of a wheel against the pavement. The sound convinced my youthful mind that indeed, the Carreta was there, ready to take all the naughty children, included me.

The words of my mother were very effective because I stopped bothering her and went back to sleep. From that day on, this incident was forever engraved in my mind.”

This story was told to Martha Isabel Arana by Denys Rocha. Picture: Manfut.org/ Museum of Myths and Legends, León, Nicaragua.