THE VIEJA DEL MONTE

 The rag doll of the Leon tradition of 40 cm. With the figure of La Vieja del Monte (handmade by a craftswoman) can already be purchased in all products ofleon so that next to the bouquet of Leones decorate the homes for Christmas and go down on Christmas Eve to the houses to leave gifts to the raptors, without them Can see it.

         In the Leonese tradition we also find a kind personage who lives apart from society but who always remembers the children, to whom he sends small gifts through his parents: it is Vieja del Monte, a legendary entity, genuinely Leonese.

Who is the Vieja del Monte?

         It is a figure in the mythology of the Kingdom of Leon, which has its roots in pre-Christian times, as a protective and benevolent mater of nature, which has manifestations throughout Europe.

         She is a good old woman who lives in a cave in the mountains of Leon. He has a furnace in a cave next to his own, where he kneads the bread that he will then hand over to the parents so they can give it to their children when they get home after their day's work in the field. Sometimes he gives chorizo, tortilla, cheese or hazelnuts. Only the elders can see her, although she knows every boy and girl in town. She lives surrounded by wild animals in tune and there are those who say that she has a wolf, like a dog, as if it were her docile lamb.

She wears black headscarf, black blouse and dengue crossed to the chest maroon rodao straw, green saya with black strips and white apron with black ornaments. He wears pussies, he wears a white stocking and a black stocking.