El Mico Tití

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There is a little saying that most Colombian children learn. It is called El Mico Tití. Most Colombian kids know this saying and often adults will call their children a "Mico" or a "Mico Tití" as a term of endearment. I could not possibly count the times my husband has called our boys MICOS or MICOS TITÍ. Now, here is your chance to learn the saying too:



El mico tití (The Cotton Top Tamarin)

paso por aquí, (passed by here,)

comiendo maní. (eating peanuts.)

A todos les dio (He gave some to everyone)

menos a mi. (except me.)


In reality, there are several different kinds of Mico Titís. First, is the Mico Tití Melena, known in English as the Cotton Top Tamarin (Saguinus oedipus). Next, is the Mico Tití Gris, known in English as the White-footed Tamarin (Saguinus leucopus). In fact, in Central and South America there are 21 different kinds of Micos Tití or Tamarins of the Saguinus Genus. But, the Mico Tití Melena and Gris are found only in Colombia.



* Photo
http://www.parquesnacionales.gov.co/PNN/portel/libreria/php/frame_buscar.php

Comments

Carolina said…
Have you heard the saying "Esta como un Titi"??? It means that the person is mad.

I found this article about it in the Bucaramanga's newspaper
http://www.vanguardia.com/diversion/galeria/26558-esta-como-un-titi
April 28, 2009 at 11:21 AM
Anonymous said…
That is not a mico titi. A mico titi is no bigger than about 3 to 4 inches long and is multi colored. green brown and black. They are very small. They have them in the Cali zoo and I have seen them more than once.
December 22, 2009 at 5:53 PM
Colombian Mommy said…
Anonymous -- As I mentioned above. There are several different kinds of Mico Titis. The one that you have seen at the zoo in Cali is one of the other species.
December 22, 2009 at 11:15 PM
Anonymous said…
Thank you!
Colombian - living abroad - trying to talk with her kids about "el mico tití" :-)
November 28, 2013 at 10:36 AM
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