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Bahamian Myths and Legends: Mythical beast "Lusca" |
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Lusca is a mythical creature of Bahamian folklore. Half-shark, half-octopus, Lusca lurks around in the underwater caves, tunnels and blue holes found all over the Caribbean. However, it is believed that she lives mostly in the underwater caves and blue holes around the Bahamas Islands, especially around Andros, the largest island in the Bahamas.
She is mean spirited and some islanders believe that she likes to drown divers and explorers who are not careful. Some even believe that if your boat is over a bluehole she could pull it in down into the dark waters.
The tidal currents of the inland blue holes are said to be the breath of Lusca. As she breathes in, water pours into the caverns, in some cases forming a whirlpool, and when Lusca breathes out, cold, clear water gushes up to the surface.
But Lusca is not all bad because the tidal flow also brings food for the real creatures that live in the blue holes, such as grouper, lobster and reef sharks and other fish. So, Lusca has long been thought of as the guardian of the dark blue holes because she makes sure the fish that live there are fed.
Even today, many local Bahamians stay away from the mystical blue holes.
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