El Cabeza de Chancho (literally meaning the pighead) is a terrifying figure from Chilean urban legend and rural folklore, particularly prominent in stories dating back to the 1930s. With multiple origin stories and sightings reported in various parts of Chile, particularly in forested or rural areas.
Described as a towering, naked humanoid with the head of a pig. He covers only his genitals and carries a large Chilean-style corvo or machete. His body is often described as muscular and grotesque, smeared with dirt, blood, or ash.
El Cabeza de Chancho has become a symbol of supernatural vengeance, deformity, and rural fear, even having an episode in the Chilean TV series La Otra Cara del Espejo.
Origins (Varied Stories):[]
There are several conflicting tales of how El Cabeza de Chancho came to be, each adding to the mythos:
- The Cursed Child: A witch or malevolent brujo cursed a man, dooming his unborn child to be born deformed - with the head of a pig. This creature grew unnaturally tall and violent.
- Murder and Desecration: A man was brutally murdered, and his head was thrown into a pig pen. The pigs consumed the head, and the man’s soul merged with theirs in a demonic act of revenge.
- Souls of Pigs Seeking Vengeance: In a more abstract version, El Cabeza de Chancho is not one being but a cursed spirit born from the agony and slaughter of pigs, especially in industrial or cruel farming practices. It now haunts humanity in retribution.
Behavior:[]
- Most common behavior reported:
- Loud, unnatural pig grunts echoing through the night.
- A strong sulfurous smell, like rotting flesh or brimstone.
- Bloody footprints where he walks.
- Animals, especially dogs, grow agitated or hide when he's near.
- Habitat: During the day, he is said to sleep in remote caves, particularly one known as La Cueva de Don Emilio, where sightings and disappearances have occurred. Locals avoid the area out of fear.
- Activity:
- Roams the forests and rural roads at night.
- Kidnaps children, who are never seen again - believed to be eaten.
- Kills adults who cross his path, often decapitating them cleanly with his blade and, in some versions, replacing their heads with pig heads.
Warning and Protection:[]
- If you hear a pig grunting at night, close all your windows and lock your doors. The sound is considered an omen of his presence.
- Locals also say to burn herbs (like boldo or romero) and avoid caves, especially after sunset.
In popular culture:[]
One of the most notable appearances is in the TV horror anthology "La Otra Cara del Espejo", where El Cabeza de Chancho is featured as the central monster in an episode. In the story, a group of teenagers celebrates their high school graduation deep in the woods. Strange sounds, pig grunts, and bloody footprints build tension as they realize something—or someone—is stalking them. The twist comes when it's revealed that El Cabeza de Chancho was just a prank: a fellow teenager in a handmade costume trying to scare his friends. However, the prank spirals out of control—panic sets in, the group flees, and some die in a car crash while trying to escape the imaginary monster. The ending leaves a chilling ambiguity: as the prankster walks away, distant pig grunts echo again, suggesting maybe the real one is still out there.
The legend is also included in school literature, particularly in short horror anthologies for middle schoolers. These versions are toned down—less gore, no decapitations—but retain the creepy core. The creature is often portrayed as a tragic figure, misunderstood or cursed, allowing some classroom discussions on fear, morality, and folklore.
In Valparaíso, there’s a real place known as La Quebrada del Cabeza de Chancho. Although not necessarily the source of the original myth, the location has become a quirky photo attraction. Tourists and school groups visit the site, taking pictures under hand-painted signs referencing the legend. Some local guides even exaggerate or invent details to add atmosphere, blending tourism with folklore.