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Lukwata/Lokwata/Luquata
The Lukwata is a cryptid from East Africa living in Lake Victoria and connecting rivers, sometimes related to another cryptid called the Lau. Its name may come from a Bantu prefix “lu” meaning large, though some believe it may come from imperfect English being used to say “look (at the) water.” They’re thought to grow 20-30 feet long, or the size of a porpoise with a four-foot-long neck. They’re reported to be dark in color with a round or oval-shaped head. They are aggressive and swim with their heads out of the water, moving with vertical undulations and creating whirlpools. They have loud bellowing voices, and attack boats, canoes, and…
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Agogwe
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Lau
The Lau is a rare cryptid from swamps at the source of the White Nile. The marshes thought to hold this creature are largely unexplored, adding credibility to the idea of an unknown species. They inhabit holes in the banks of the river or swamps, though mostly in the swamps. This creature is known to the Nuer, Dinka, and Shilluk people of Africa. The Nuer people would identify their presence by a long rut in the ground, and run away from it. It’s believed that if a Lau sees a group of people before they see it, then it is assumed that all of them will die. If a group…
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Urokljivac
The Urokljivac is a mythical creature from Serbian Slavic mythology. The name translates to “Hex Man” and they are believed to be people who could cast evil magic from their eyes. They often do not know what they’re doing, naturally having those abilities or becoming that way through envy. They cast curses that could lead to misfortune, illness, or death, with the victims often being beautiful, rich, or children. Effects of the curse could be stopped by tying red thread around the wrist and wearing torn clothes or socks of different colors. They could also be stopped by amulets or religious symbols. Citations: Zlatic, Vladimir. Slavic Mythology: Demons in Serbian…
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Sea Monk
The Sea Monk is a Medieval fish with a human head and a monk’s tonsure haircut. They’re thought to have a scarlet-colored and speckled body. With the upper body covered by a cape, and two long tentacles rather than arms. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
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Sabbatarian
A Sabbatarian is a mystical form of person born on a Saturday from the belief of the Balkans. It’s thought that they can cure illnesses, detect supernatural creatures, and destroy them since they have special powers over vampires, ghosts, and spirits. Often they are accompanied by creatures called Fetch Dogs. Twins are thought to become especially powerful Sabbatarians. There is a report of a Sabbatarian luring a Vrykolakas into a barn, forcing it to count seeds, and then nailing it to a wall. It was thought vampires were confined to coffins all Saturday and Sabbatarians hunted them then, and they would sometimes wear their underwear inside out to help oppose…
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Zmeu
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Rusalka/Rusalki
The Rusalka is a form of Slavic myths of Russia. They’re amphibious creatures thought to be the tortured souls of unbaptized children, babies downed by unmarried mothers, drowned virgins, and those who committed suicide out of heartbreak. They live at the bottom of lakes and can come to the surface and turn into humans by taking human clothes. They have legs on land, but only a fishtail in water. Some stories say the Rusalka lure in human men to bring them to an underwater palace but the men usually drown. Some stories have the Rusalka carry off men to a magical location to seduce and keep young forever with magic,…
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Pontianak
The Pontianak is a form of ghost from Indonesia and Malaysia. They’re believed to be stillborn children who’ve risen from the grave. They take the form of grown women but make a cry like a lost child to lure in victims. After luring people in, they cut them open and consume their entrails. Citations: Maberry, Jonathan. Vampire Universe: The Dark World of Supernatural Beings That Haunt Us, Hunt Us, and Hunger for Us. United States, Kensington Publishing Corporation, 2006.
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Obake/Bakemono
The Obake is a ghostly form of yokai from Japan. Their name means “changed thing,” and they have many evil powers.They can change visibility and solidity at will. They may utilize deception, and while they are not always evil, female Obake are considered more evil. Female Obake may use seduction to enhance terror. Most Obake are humans who transform after death into physical manifestations of their nature in life and sometimes eat flesh. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Spirits and Ghosts in World Mythology. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
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Kobold
The Kobold is a form of household spirit from Germany and Switzerland. They test the house and its occupants early on. It carries a pouch containing dust and dirt and will sprinkle some in the family’s milk. If this goes unnoticed, then the Kobold decides it is welcome in the home. They settle in the house, often under the stove. They assist when cleaning if not being watched and keep other spirits from the house. They move on only after the last of the family dies. If any servants were employed at the house, they would have to be taught how to not anger the Kobold, or suffer bad luck…
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Kindermorderinn
The Kindermorderinn is a form of ghost from Germany. It’s thought to be the angry spirit of children who were murdered by their mothers. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Spirits and Ghosts in World Mythology. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016. Maberry, Jonathan. Vampire Universe: The Dark World of Supernatural Beings That Haunt Us, Hunt Us, and Hunger for Us. United States, Kensington Publishing Corporation, 2006. Ogden, Tom. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Ghosts and Hauntings. United States, DK Publishing, 1999.
