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Conjoined Giants/Denecho Keníhshon
The Conjoined Giants come from a story in Slavey myth. After the figure Wolverine stole a child, this child accidentally mistook these giants for his grandparents. They were connected at the back and faced opposite directions. They were dragging a giant toboggan. They were known to eat humans and ate the boy who had been stolen. Thankfully the father of the boy prayed for his son’s resurrection. Unfortunately, the boy made the same mistake and died again, but this time he wasn’t brought back. The boy’s father tricked them into killing each other by shooting an arrow at them while they were covered by a blanket. This caused each to…
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Choleree
Choleree is a monster from Evens mythology in Siberia. He was described as an ogre having one arm, one leg, one eye in the center of the forehead, and iron teeth that he constantly gnashed. He appeared in a story about a brother and sister. He asked the sister if she could live with them, and the girl agreed. She snuck Choleree into their home. He locked away all the brother’s loyal animals and told the brother to wash himself so Choleree could eat his liver and innards. A duck the brother had spared came and freed his two bears, two wolves, and two foxes. The animals instructed the brother…
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Zduhać/Aloviti/Vjedogonja/Wind Chasers/Cloud Chaser/Hail Defender/Fairy Man/Dragon Man
The Zduhać are mythical figures from Slavic myth. They are described as people capable of protecting people, homes, and entire villages from rain and hail. They are often thought of as mythical creatures, like dragons or fairies, but in human form. Sometimes they were seen as prophets and connected to angels and saints. They are generally seen as heroic figures that look entirely human, though often melancholic, thoughtful, strong, resourceful, and resilient. A Zduhać could be detected from birth if they were born with the caul still on their head, and they would also often have an affinity to crows. Some believed however that a Zduhać could only be born…
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Jiangshi/Chiang-Shih/Kiang-Shi/Kuang-Shi
The Jiangshi are a form of undead creature from Chinese myth. They’re most often formed when someone dies from murder, hanging, drowning, suicide, or dying during the committing of a crime. It is believed they are the lesser of the two souls, called the p’o, that remains in the body after death. They have incredibly stiff bodies due to rigor mortis and have to hop around because of this. They’re believed to become stronger the longer they exist, with rigor mortis wearing off, and they would become smarter and more malicious. They can leap from massive distances and even learn how to fly. They have been known to appear as…
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Dard/Cat-Headed Snake
The Dard is a strange cryptid from Europe. Its name means “forked tongue” in French. They’re lizard-like creatures with cat heads, four legs, viper tails, and horse manes running down their backs. They are known to bite viciously when provoked, but have no venom. They are known to hiss very loudly and consume milk from cows. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016. Eberhart, George M.. Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology. United Kingdom, ABC-CLIO, 2002.
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El Cuero/El Bien Peinado
El Cuero is from South America, Lago Lacar, and the Andes mountains. It is a monstrous octopus. It has claws at the end of each of its tentacle and a bulbous head with large ears covered in eyes. These eyes can change at will. The large eyes see great distances and the smaller eyes see into small dark crevices. Its name El Cuero translates to “cow hide” due to skin resembling cowhide. The name El Bien Peinado translates to “the smooth headed one”. It attacks on land and in the water. The strange tracks of the creature have been seen. Citations: Maberry, Jonathan. Vampire Universe: The Dark World of Supernatural…
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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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Cropsey/Cropsey Maniac
Cropsey is an urban legend of a serial killer from New York State. Supposedly he started as a respected member of the community, but then started stalking and killing campers to get revenge for the accidental death of a family member. He was initially seen as an ax murderer but later viewed as some undead person. It’s thought he eludes the police in life and death. Citations: de Vos, Gail. What Happens Next? Contemporary Urban Legends and Popular Culture. United Kingdom, ABC-CLIO, 2012.
