Authors Reclaim San Antonio Donkey Lady Legend
A new book reimagines the infamous local folkloric figure as a historical woman victimized by community prejudice.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Hispanic
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Authors Carmen Tafolla and Thelma Ortiz Muraida have published a book that reframes the San Antonio Donkey Lady urban legend. They depict the figure as a historical, self-sufficient woman named La Callada who suffered violent attacks from her neighbors.
Why it matters
The creators intend to restore the humanity of this figure, interpreting the enduring ghost story as a stark reflection of past prejudice and mob mentality. By shifting the narrative from a supernatural creature to a victim of community injustice, they seek to reclaim her story.
The book features illustrations created by Thelma Ortiz Muraida, who utilized charcoal during visits to the Elm Creek bridge on Old Applewhite Road. This creative process aims to capture the contrast and mystery surrounding the historical narrative.
The players
Carmen Tafolla
She is a San Antonio-based author who collaborated to write the book reclaiming the legend.
Thelma Ortiz Muraida
She is a San Antonio-based author and illustrator who used charcoal to create the book's visuals.
The details
The authors reconstruct the legend of La Callada, portraying her as an independent woman living self-sufficiently before becoming a target of violence. The illustrator used raw charcoal to ground the reimagining in the physical reality of the site associated with the myth.
Timeline
October 30, 2026: The authors published their book detailing the reimagined legend.
Culture Shift
This work aligns with the historical reinterpretation of La Llorona by grounding a regional supernatural myth in the social realities of the past. It signals a broader cultural trend toward deconstructing folklore to expose underlying historical injustices.
San Antonio residents may find their perception of the Elm Creek bridge legend challenged by this new historical lens. The book provides a different way for locals to engage with the geography and folklore of their own neighborhood.
The takeaway
This reinterpretation serves as a reminder of how folklore can often obscure historical truths about marginalized individuals. Readers can implement this perspective by critically examining local myths to understand the human realities behind them.
Further reading
Discover more cultural updates in the San Antonio Hispanic section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KSAT.
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