Vampires in folklore Part 1

Today’s vampire is a blend of myth, mystery, and modern allure. While rooted in folklore as creatures of the night that feed on blood, modern vampires have evolved into complex characters in literature, movies, and TV shows. In this entry, I will take a closer look at bloodsuckers from the folklore and culture of individual countries.

 ★ The wąpierz is  a creature from Polish folklore, often described as a type of vampire or blood-sucking monster. It’s considered to be a particularly dangerous and malevolent being, known for preying on humans, particularly at night. The wąpierz is sometimes depicted as a dark, shadowy figure, and in some versions of the legend, it takes the form of an enormous, bloodthirsty bird or bat-like creature. In Polish mythology, the wąpierz is said to be a spirit or a demon that can cause death by draining the life force of its victims, often by sucking their blood. There are also connections to other Slavic mythological creatures like the upir or strzyga (which are also vampire-like beings). Polska górą!

 ★ The Yara-ma-yha-who is a creature from Australian Aboriginal mythology. My family in Australia told stories about the vampire koala. It’s a type of mythical creature that resembles a small, red-skinned humanoid, often described as having a large head, small body, and a wide mouth with sharp teeth. According to the legend, the Yara-ma-yha-who is a vampiric creature that feeds on the blood of humans. It’s said to wait in trees, sometimes hanging upside down like a bat, and ambush travelers by dropping down onto them. After draining the blood, it’s believed that the victim becomes weaker and eventually transforms into another Yara-ma-yha-who, continuing the cycle.

 ★ A Jiangshi from Chinese folklore. The term literally translates to "stiff corpse" (僵尸, "jiāngshī")because these creatures are believed to be dead bodies that have been reanimated through supernatural means, usually by a sorcerer or a Taoist priest. Unlike traditional vampires that drink blood, Jiangshi are known for draining the life force or "qi" from living people, and in some stories, they suck blood. The most distinctive feature of the Jiangshi is its hopping movement. The body is typically stiff, and the creature is said to hop around rather than walk, which adds to its eerie and unsettling appearance. They are often depicted with pale, greenish skin, long white hair, and wearing traditional Qing Dynasty clothing. Their eyes can be red, and they usually have sharp nails or claws.

 ★ A Sokoyant is a supernatural being from Caribbean folklore, particularly in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and some parts of the Caribbean. It is often described as a shape-shifting, vampiric creature that can transform into a ball of fire or a cloud of smoke. In some stories, a Sokoyant is said to be a woman who can shed her skin at night and take on the form of a flying, fiery ball or a bird-like creature to hunt for blood.

 ★  A penanggalan is a type of mythical creature in Malaysia and Indonesia folklore. It is often described as a woman who can detach her head from her body, with the head flying around, still attached to its internal organs the penanggalan is believed to be a vampire-like creature that preys on pregnant women or newborns, often attacking them for their blood.

 ★  A manananggal is a creature from Philippine folklore. The name itself is derived from the Filipino word "tanggal," which means "to separate" or "to remove," and the creature's most distinctive characteristic is its ability to separate its upper torso from its lower body. At night, the manananggal transforms into a flying, winged entity, with the top half of its body detached from its lower half, which is left on the ground.

 ★ the Striges evil spirits who were said to turn into birds and feed on human blood typically described as winged monsters or creatures that resemble birds of prey, such as owls or vultures. They appear in different mythologies, especially in Greek and Roman texts, where they are sometimes associated with bad omens or night creatures

★ the Lamashtu figure from ancient Mesopotamian mythology, often depicted as a malevolent demon or goddess. She was believed to be a harmful entity associated with childbirth, pregnancy, and newborns. She is commonly described as having the body of a woman but with the head of a lioness or donkey, and sometimes with wings or claws.

 ★ The Baobhan Sith (pronounced "bawn shee") is a figure from Scottish folklore, specifically from the Highlands. is typically described as a beautiful woman who appears to be a fair maiden or sometimes as a fairy-like being. She would lure men, especially those traveling alone through remote areas, into the woods or isolated places. Once there, she would drain their blood.

 ★ The Yara (also known as Iara) is a figure from Brazilian folklore, particularly from the indigenous cultures of the Amazon. She is a water spirit or mermaid-like creature, often depicted as an extraordinarily beautiful woman who lures men to their doom. The Yara is usually described as having long, flowing hair and the lower body of a half aquatic beast. They attract people by their singing and will drown them in the river. "Yara" is from the indigenous people and their language it literally means "water maiden".

 ★ The Nattmara (sometimes called "Night Mara") is a creature from Scandinavian folklore, particularly in Swedish and Norwegian traditions. It’s closely related to the concept of a mare, which is a supernatural being known for causing sleep paralysis, nightmares, and discomfort during sleep. The Nattmara is believed to be a spirit or demon that visits people during the night, sitting on their chest or lying on top of them while they sleep. This weight would cause the victim to experience difficulty breathing, a feeling of being suffocated, or the inability to move—much like the sensation of sleep paralysis.

My knowledge comes from bestiaries and stories from people I met on the Internet.