The Anjara are female fairy creatures from Cantabrian folklore that foil the cruel Ojáncanu. They are described as good, generous fairies that are protective of all people. Oral tradition provides two explanations for the Anjara: some say they are heavenly beings sent by God to do good deeds for 400 years, while others indicate they are spirits of the trees who take care of the forests. Anjara are described as being half a foot tall with white skin, slanted eyes, nearly transparent wings, and wearing long braided hair adorned with ribbons and flowers while carrying a stick that changes color daily. They are often seen walking the forest trails, resting by springs and streams where

1. THE ANJARATHE ANJARA
BY Mateo CuestaBY Mateo Cuesta

2. CHARACTERISTICSCHARACTERISTICS
These female fairy creatures foil the cruel andThese female fairy creatures foil the cruel and
ruthless Ojáncanu. In most stories, they are the goodruthless Ojáncanu. In most stories, they are the good
fairies of Cantabria, generous and protective of allfairies of Cantabria, generous and protective of all
people.people.
Oral tradition provides different explanations for theOral tradition provides different explanations for the
nature of the Anjana. Some say they are heavenlynature of the Anjana. Some say they are heavenly
beings sent by God to do good deeds, and they go backbeings sent by God to do good deeds, and they go back
to heaven after 400 years, never to return. Others,to heaven after 400 years, never to return. Others,
however, indicate that they are spirits of trees who takehowever, indicate that they are spirits of trees who take
care of the forests.care of the forests.

3. DESCRIPTIONDESCRIPTION
Anjana are described as beautiful and delicate, half aAnjana are described as beautiful and delicate, half a
foot tall, with white skin and a sweet voice. Some are likefoot tall, with white skin and a sweet voice. Some are like
a nightingale when they are happy, and others are like aa nightingale when they are happy, and others are like a
beetle stepping on leaves in autum. Their eyes arebeetle stepping on leaves in autum. Their eyes are
slanted, serene and loving, with black or blue pupils asslanted, serene and loving, with black or blue pupils as
bright as the stars, and they feature nearly transparentbright as the stars, and they feature nearly transparent
wings. They wear long, jet black or golden braids,wings. They wear long, jet black or golden braids,
adorned with multicolored silk bows and ribbons; aadorned with multicolored silk bows and ribbons; a
beautiful crown of wild flowers on their head; and a bluebeautiful crown of wild flowers on their head; and a blue
cape on a long thin white tunic, and carry in their handscape on a long thin white tunic, and carry in their hands
a stick of wicker or hawthorn which shines in a differenta stick of wicker or hawthorn which shines in a different
color every day of the week.color every day of the week.

4. They are seen walking through the forest trails,They are seen walking through the forest trails,
resting on the banks of springs and on theresting on the banks of springs and on the
margins of streams which then seem to comemargins of streams which then seem to come
alive. They are able to talk with the water thatalive. They are able to talk with the water that
flows from the sources and springs. They helpflows from the sources and springs. They help
injured animals and trees damaged by stormsinjured animals and trees damaged by storms
and people who lose their way in the forest, andand people who lose their way in the forest, and
the poorthe poor