Tradition: Cantabrian Mythology, Spanish Mythology
Alternative Names: Ojancanu, Ojáncana (female counterpart)
Category: Giant
The Myth
The Ojáncanu is a monstrous, one-eyed giant in Cantabrian mythology, embodying cruelty, brutality, and destructive power. It stands approximately ten to twenty feet tall and possesses superhuman strength, ten digits on each hand and foot, and two rows of teeth. Its appearance is wild and beast-like, with a long mane of red hair and an enormous beard that can nearly reach the ground.
The Ojáncanu constantly performs acts of destruction. It uproots rocks, demolishes huts, tears down trees, and blocks water sources, bringing hardship to the people who live nearby. It also fights Cantabrian brown bears and Tudanca bulls, defeating them through its extraordinary strength. Among the supernatural beings of Cantabria, it represents a violent and uncontrollable force that threatens both human settlements and the natural landscape.
Despite its immense power, the Ojáncanu has a peculiar weakness. Hidden among the tangled hair of its beard is a single white hair, and pulling it is said to be the easiest way to kill the giant. The creature therefore possesses a vulnerability that can be exploited by someone who knows its secret.
The female counterpart, known as the Ojáncana, resembles the male but has no beard. Instead, she has long, drooping breasts that reach the ground. When she runs, she must carry them over her shoulders. The Ojáncanu and Ojáncana also have an unusual reproductive tradition: when an old male dies, the other giants distribute his internal organs and bury his corpse beneath an oak or yew tree.
The Ojáncanu fears only the Anjanas, the benevolent fairies of Cantabrian mythology. These good supernatural beings stand in opposition to the giant’s cruelty and destructive nature, representing one of the few forces capable of inspiring fear in this otherwise formidable monster.
Sources
“Ojáncanu.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed October 16, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oj%C3%A1ncanu