El Coco

The Coco or Coca is a mythical ghost-like monster, equivalent to the bogeyman, found in Galicia, Portugal and Spain. Those beliefs have also spread in many Hispanophone and Lusophone countries. It can also be considered an Iberian version of a bugbear as it is a commonly used figure of speech representing an irrational or exaggerated fear. The Cucuy is a male being while Cuca is a female version of the mythical monster. The "monster" will come to the house of disobedient children at night and take them away.

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