Bogeyman Figures
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Hagondes
The Hagondes is a bogeyman figure from the Seneca people. Its name means “long nose.” It is a cannibalistic clown that eats children. It carries misbehaving children away in a basket. Citations: Sullivan, Irene F., and Gill, Sam D.. Dictionary of Native American Mythology. United Kingdom, Oxford University Press, 1994.
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Haakapainizi
The Haakapainizi is a strange monster from the Kawaiisu people in what is currently Nevada. It looked like a giant grasshopper carrying around a large basket. It would move around singing and grabbing children to place in its basket. It was eventually killed by Mouse who tricked it into eating a hot coal. Eating this coal caused Haakapainizi to turn to stone from the inside out. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016. Rose, Carol. Giants Monsters and Dragons: An Encyclopedia Of Folklore Legend And Myth. United Kingdom, WW Norton, 2001. Sullivan, Irene F., and Gill, Sam D..…
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Uber
The Uber is from Turkish legend. They are related to witches and vampires. They are formed when someone rises from the dead that died a violent death or when a foreigner died in Turkey but was not Muslim. These creatures are related to Vlad of Wallachia (Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration for Dracula) and used as a bogeyman figure. The Uber legend is closely tied to the intimidating nature of Vlad the Impaler. 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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Qallupilluit/Qalupalik
The Qallupilluit are bogeyman figures from Inuit mythology. They scared children away from sea ice and lurked near patches of broken ice. Steam rising from the water were signs of a Qalupaliik. They hunt on shorelines and near ice flows. They have human forms, green skin, scales, long heads, and long sharp fingernails. They typically wear an amautik (a parka specifically for women with a pouch to carry children in the back.) They are known to hum eerily and knock on the ice underneath people to lure them to more dangerous areas. They specifically target children separated from any adults. Children caught would be put in a sack (or the…
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P-Skig-Demo-Os/M-Ska-Gwe-Demo-Os
P-Skig-Demo-Os is from the Abenaki people of the US and Canada. She appears human, is evil and spiteful, hides in shadows and makes a cry to lure in children and men for her to kill and eat. Anyone pitying her, even only in their thoughts, will suffer misfortune and never find love. She is a Bogeyman figure. 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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Cucuy/Cucui
El Cucuy is a bogeyman figure from Mexico and other Spanish speaking areas. It is usually described as a small creature hiding in closets and under beds, but could be described simply as a scary person or beast. It can be identified by its glowing red eyes that can be seen in the dark. It is considered most dangerous to those out at night. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016. Herrera-Sobek, María. Celebrating Latino Folklore: An Encyclopedia of Cultural Traditions. United Kingdom, ABC-CLIO, 2012.
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Cuco
The Cuco is a Hispanic and Lusophone form of bogeyman. They take children if they don’t go to sleep on time. They are sometimes believed to be the male version of a creature called the Coca. The Cuco has inconsistent representation, but is often depicted with a jack o lantern. The female version, the Coca, was the linguistic origin of the coconut, as they were hairy and had holes resembling a face. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016. Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Fairies in World Folklore and Mythology. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2013. Landy, David. Tropical…
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Le Croque-Mitaine
Le Croque-Mitaine is a bogeyman from France. Its name means “hand cruncher” or “mitten biter.” It is unclear as to what it is. Some guesses are a fairy, one of the Fates, a goblin, or a cat-like humanoid who is sporadically savage and sly. It grinds its teeth. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
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La Calchona/Chiludo
La Calchona is a mythical creature from South America whose name means “ghost” or “bogeyman.” It sometimes looks like a large, bearded man covered in sheep-like wool, but in Chile its thought to look like a large dog with tangled wooly fur. It’s nocturnal and lives in fields and hills. They mostly just scare horses and travelers and sometimes steal food. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
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Bugul Noz
Bugul Noz is a mysterious Fae from Breton myth. Its name translates to “night shepherd.” It’s thought to be a tall nature spirit living in the forests of Brittany, currently France. Bugul Noz is thought to be the last of its kind, and is thought to be so ugly that animals will run away as it approaches. Despite its horrific appearance, Bugul Noz is very kind, and announces its presence as it walks at night to avoid scaring anyone. It was sometimes seen as a bogeyman figure, and seeing it without expecting it could scare someone to death. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Fairies in World Folklore and Mythology. United…
