Huay Chivo

Huaychivo or, more commonly, Huay Chivo is a legendary Mayan beast. It is a half-man, half-beast creature, with burning red eyes, and is specific to the Yucatán Peninsula. It is often said to be an evil sorcerer who can transform himself into a supernatural animal, usually a goat, dog or deer, in order to prey upon livestock. In recent times it has become associated with the chupacabras. The Huay Chivo is specific to the south-eastern Mexican states of Yucatan, Campeche and Quintana Roo. Alleged Huay Chivo activity is sporadically reported in the regional press.

The Huay Chivo is a local variation of the Mesoamerican Nahual.

Etymology

The name Huay Chivo combines Spanish and Yucatec Mayan terms. Huay or Uay comes from Waay in Yucatec Maya, meaning sorcerer or spirit, while Chivo is Spanish for goat, literally meaning Witch-Goat.

See also

• Black dog (ghost)
• Nahual
• Skin-walker
• Wayob

References

• Burchell, Simon (2007) Phantom Black Dogs in Latin America, Heart of Albion Press, ISBN 978-1-905646-01-2