Jesús Malverde facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jesús Malverde |
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Jesús Malverde image
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| Angel of the Poor, Generous Bandit | |
| Born | 15 January 1870 Sinaloa, Mexico |
| Died | 3 May 1909 (age 39) Sinaloa, Mexico |
| Venerated in | Sinaloa; Folk Catholicism |
| Major shrine | Culiacan, Mexico |
| Feast | 3 May |
Jesús Malverde (pronounced "Hay-SOOS Mal-VER-day") is a famous folk hero from Sinaloa, Mexico. People often call him the "generous bandit" or "angel of the poor." He is like a Robin Hood figure. The story says he stole from the rich to help people who were poor. Many people in Mexico and the United States consider him a special folk saint.
The Story of Jesús Malverde
It's important to know that historians are not sure if Jesús Malverde was a real person. His story might be a mix of tales about other bandits.
The legend says he was born Jesús Juarez Mazo Campos in 1870. He grew up when Mexico was ruled by a strong leader named Porfirio Diaz. A local leader, Francisco Cañedo, was in charge of Sinaloa.
Malverde supposedly became a bandit after his parents died. Some stories say they died from hunger or a sickness that could have been cured. He felt their poverty caused their deaths.
During his youth, new things like railroads came to his area. This changed how people lived and worked. A few rich people owned large farms called haciendas. They made a lot of money. But most people, especially farmers, became even poorer.
Jesús Malverde was said to be a carpenter, a tailor, or a railway worker before he became a bandit. His nickname, Malverde, means "bad-green." Rich people who were his victims gave him this name. They linked the color green to bad luck or misfortune.
One story says that Governor Cañedo made fun of Malverde. He offered Malverde a pardon if he could steal the governor's sword. Some versions say he had to steal the governor's daughter. Malverde succeeded, but this only made Cañedo hunt him even harder. The legend says Malverde died in Sinaloa on May 3, 1909.
Some writers, like Sam Quinones, believe Malverde's story is a blend of tales about two real bandits from Sinaloa: Heraclio Bernal and Felipe Bachomo.
Why People Believe in Malverde
Since his supposed death, Jesús Malverde has become very popular. Especially among poor people in the mountains of Sinaloa. They see him as a hero who helped those in need.
His main shrine is in Culiacan, the capital city of Sinaloa. Every year, on May 3rd, the day he supposedly died, a big party is held at his shrine. People come to celebrate him.
Many people believe that Malverde has performed miracles. They say he has healed sick people or brought them good luck. You can even find special items with his picture on them in Mexico and the United States. These include candles, oils, incense, and soaps. People use these items to ask for his help or blessings.
See also
- Chucho el Roto, a Mexican bandit who stole from the rich and shared with the poor
- Gauchito Gil, another Latin American Folk Saint who stole from the rich to give to the poor
