LESSER KNOW (AND DISTURBING) VAMPIRE FOLKLORE FROM DIFFERENT CULTURES

EVOLUTION OF VAMPIRES

People usually associate vampires with Edward Cullen from Twilight or Dracula from the classic novel by Bram Stoker. Vampire is a new word originating around 1734 and before that, there are myths in almost every culture describing demons that feed off human blood or energy. These demons are described as horrifying and people wore religious symbols and amulets to protect themselves against them.

In recent years, vampires have been romanticized and portrayed as more human like in popular TV shows and books. However, there are horrifying versions of the same creatures in some ancient civilizations and mythological tales.

SHTRIGA – THE VAMPIRE THAT FEEDS ON INFANTS (ALBANIA – SOUTH EAST EUROPE)

Albanian legend describes Shtriga as a witch who was born human but eventually turns into a witch from envy and childlessness. She feeds on the blood of infants and young women, often draining them or leaving them diseased.

A Shtriga lives in the woods and comes out at night when everyone is asleep and feeds on young children and babies. She has the ability to shape shift into an insect after feeding and goes back to the woods to regurgitate the blood. The victim slowly dies of weakness or disease and only can be healed by the same Shtriga (she spits in the victims mouth that reverses the sickness).

It is said that a Shtriga has the appearance of an old/middle aged woman with a disfigured face and a huge crooked nose. Her eyes are pale blue or green and described as “white eyes”. She has a hateful stare that is unnerving and can bring you misfortune. The word ‘Shtriga’ is also used to describe envious or malicious women.

A belief in God is supposed to be the ultimate way to protect yourself against a Shtriga but there are some other ways to avoid harm from her

A silver coin dipped in the regurgitated blood and wrapped in a cloth can be an amulet to offer permanent protection against the Shtriga
A cross bone made from pig’s bone can be placed on the entrance of the church on Easter Sunday which would trap the Shtriga inside and she could be killed at the threshold when she attempts to pass.
In Catholic legend, a Shtriga can be killed with holy water in a cross in it
Some Islamic myths say that recital of verses from Quran and spitting water on her would chase away or destroy a Shtriga.

BRAHMAPURUSHA – THE VAMPIRE WITH A CROWN MADE OF GUTS (INDIA)

In Hindu mythology, Brahmapurushas are described as vampiric demons that are extremely cruel and sadistic. There is no way to kill these demons and the only defense against is to run and hide. These creatures take great joy in their massacring humans and display their kills proudly.

Brahmapurushas feeds on human blood and flesh. They aren’t satisfied with one kill and need to feed on a lot of humans. They carry a cup made of human skull to drink blood drained from a victims throat and then proceed to eat the brain. After they’ve had their fill, they wrap the intestines around their heads (like a crown) and waist and perform a ritualistic dance around the dead bodies.

A Brahmapurusha will posses a victim’s dead body for a while to kill and feed until he’s satiated and then move on to the next victim. Although these demons are considered to be a different species, an evil human can reincarnate into one as punishment for his bad deeds.

LAMIA – THE SERPENT VAMPIRE (GREECE)

Lamia is a character in Greek mythology that was a human queen of Libya is described as beautiful and seductive before turning into a vampire. She caught the eye of Zeus and he fell in love with her. They had many children together and when Zeus’ wife Hera found out about this, she got angry and jealous of Lamia… forcing her to murder her own children. She also cursed her to have a serpent’s tail with a woman’s torso.

Lamia was grief stricken and rendered unable to sleep by Hera. She relived the deaths of her children over and over again. Zeus, out of his love for her, gave her the ability to pluck out her eyes when she wants to rest and put them back on. She keeps these eyes in a vessel besides when she rests. Zeus also gifted her the ability to shape shift which eased the curse.

Lamia eventually murders children and drinks their blood out of envy for their mothers and grief at the loss of her children. She begins to find enjoyment in her killings and now sustains on the blood of young children. Lamia is also said to seduce young men to their deaths, taking them to isolated places and draining their blood. She lives in the woods and waits for her next victims.

PISACHA – THE VAMPIRE SONS OF ANGER (INDIA)

Pisachas (in Hindu mythology) are monsters considered lower than demons as they are not very intelligent and chatter continuously. However, they are very destructive and evil as they are the sons of Anger (Krodha) itself. Pisachas have their own language and look disfigured with bulging veins and blood red eyes.

These creatures live in dark and abandoned places, waiting for humans to feed on. They are seen hanging out in the graveyards as they feed on the blood and flesh of corpses as well as living humans. They have the ability to shape shift and make themselves invisible which gives them an edge when they hunt. Pisachas also have mind controlling abilities which can make a sane person act violently and go insane. They spread deadly diseases and feed off the victims energy or “life source”.

It is believed that there are certain spells or mantras that can be chanted to chase a Pisacha away. Certain religious festivals and rituals have offerings that keep away these creatures from doing evil.

EKKIMU THE ENERGY VAMPIRE (MESOPOTAMIA – PRESENT DAY IRAQ/SYRIA)

In the ancient civilization of Mesopotamia, Ekkimu are phantoms that roam the earth searching for peace. They are believed to be human before their violent demise usually due to war or murder. People dying before finding love, during childbirth, of young age and starvation also turn into these spirits and people feared this fate.

Ekkimu are miserable and not only feed off human aura or “life force” but also plants, animals and other living things. If one of these spirits visits a house, it was considered a bad sign and the host would eventually be dead of weakness or disease. They are also described as “gusts of winds” and can cause a victim to act criminally.