Armadillos in Culture Throughout the Americas
One of the oddest creatures in the Americas is the armadillo. These creatures appear in a Mayan legend, where a bench containing two unruly gods turns into a pair of armadillos, which dump the deities on the ground and scurry off. Rudyard Kipling wrote of armadillos in his “Just So Stories”, saying they are a cross between hedgehogs and turtles.
Armadillos live in North and South America, and are as far north as the Ohio River Valley. They are used for a variety of purposes, including food. They are said to taste similar to pork.
In Victorian times, baskets made from armadillo shells were made popular by a German basket maker. He displayed the first one at the 1902 World Fair, and the fad took off. The company that made them stayed in business until the 1970′s.
Armadillos are also used to make Charango, which is a South American instrument. It is quite similar to a five string guitar, but has a very specific body shape. This shape is easily replicated with armadillo shells.
These shelled creatures are most often found in effigy, located in southwestern souvenir shops. With their unusual looks, they are an excellent reminder of exotic places.
Posted in