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Teke Teke/Shaka Shaka/ Pata Pata/ Kata Kata/Koto Koto/ Hijikake Babā
The Teke Teke is a form of ghost from Japanese urban legends. The name is an onomatopoeia meant to reference the sound of them dragging themselves with their hands. They are almost always women and look like people cut in half at the waist. Despite the fact that they crawl, they are thought to be capable of keeping up with cars when in pursuit, sometimes reaching 150km per hour. They commonly carry scythes or sickles. Teke Teke can be found in urban areas, commonly along dark roads. Getting attacked by a Teke Teke is horrific, but stories are often unclear about the specifics of these attacks. Commonly victims are cut…
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Qupqugiaq/Kokogiak
The Qupqugiaq is a creature from the myths of the Inupait Inuit people. They are described as resembling large polar bears with ten legs, sometimes the size of a whale. They’re thought to hunt and kill like a regular polar bear, and walk with their feet in unison so their tracks resemble those of a typical polar bear. Catching a Qupgugiaq was often seen as good luck. They are often seen as spirit animal helpers, typically only serving shamans who ride on their backs. Some believe normal polar bears turn into Qupqugiaq when they become the spirit animals to shamans. Citations: Iñupiatun Uqaluit Taniktun Sivuninit/Iñupiaq to English Dictionary. United States,…
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Phantom Clowns/Killer Clowns
The Phantom Clowns are an odd phenomenon encountered in New England, 1981. Many others were seen in various locations during the spring of 1981. Witnesses described various clowns attempting to lure away children, often into vans. They were noted to have targeted elementary school children, often trying to lure children in with candy. Some brandished weapons. They evaded capture and detection by any, other than potential victims. Despite their name, they are believed to be flesh and blood. They do however add a layer of validity to a larger Urban Legend of killer clowns. Citations: American Myths, Legends, and Tall Tales: An Encyclopedia of American Folklore [3 Volumes]: An Encyclopedia…
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Niuhi/Lala-Kea/Kihikihi
The Niuhi is a class of man eating sea creature from Hawaiian myth. An alternate name Lala-Kea was once treated as a proper name, but eventually became synonymous with this classification. Sometimes any shark measuring over 3.5 meters is identified as a Niuhi, though they are sometimes believed to be the souls of demigods entering sharks after, or even before, their death. Alternate names like Lālākea refers to reef sharks, and Kihikihi refers to hammerhead sharks. They are believed to be capable of taking human form, have glowing fiery eyes, and are feared for their ferocity and reputation to devour all people. They are dark grey in color with lighter…
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Kansas Four Armed Alien
The Kansas Four-Armed Alien was sighted late at night in Summer 1972. The witness was driving on an empty road when he saw lights in a field and went to investigate. He parked and approached the lights to find a tall, well-built humanoid figure wearing black coveralls and a skull cap, along with white gloves and a belt. It had inhuman facial features including large round eyes, and possessed four arms. The being explained in English that he was a “miscreation” as well as the fourth in command of the nearby ship, which was hidden by glare. The witness claims to have convinced the being to allow him on the…
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Mahwot/Karnabo
The Mahwot, later called the Karnabo, is a monster thought to live in the Lower Meuse Ardennes in France. It is described as an amphibious creature as large as a calf and shaped like a lizard. It rarely leaves the Meuse, and it foretells disaster and destruction. It is thought to come when mothers call for it to attack disobedient children. It is known to make a nasal sound that paralyzes and suffocates people who get too close, and it kills cattle. Later iterations had a human face, eyes like a basilisk, and a trunk-like nose. It is often thought to be locked away in an abandoned slate quarry. Citations:…
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Kweo Kachina
Kweo Kachina is a Hopi figure known as the wolf Kachina, this being a form of spirit. He has blue skin and often holds a stick that he uses to hide behind while hunting. Depictions of Kweo Kachina often incorporate real wolf fur. He also features as a side dancer alongside Deer, Antelope, and/or Mountain Sheep, who all call forth the gift of elaboration in the Soyohim Dance. Citations: Weishaus, Joel, and Rowland, Susan. Jungian Arts-Based Research and “The Nuclear Enchantment of New Mexico”. United Kingdom, Taylor & Francis, 2020. Wright, Barton. Hopi kachinas: the complete guide to collecting kachina dolls. United States, Northland Press, 1977.
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Kwakwakalanooksiwae
Kwakwakalanooksiwae is a giant man-eating raven from the myths of the Kwakiutl Native Americans. It was so large that the flap of its wings would shake the sky and it could swallow a man in one bite. It was believed to be one of the attendants to the monstrous creature Bakbakwalanooksiwae. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. 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. Werness, Hope B.. The Continuum Encyclopedia of Native Art: Worldview, Symbolism, and Culture in Africa,…
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Kur
Kur is a Sumerian dragon from the underworld living in the primordial waters. His name means “land” or “mountain.” He angered the gods by kidnapping Ereshkigal to be his underworld queen. Ninurta is said to have killed Kur with his mystical weapon, Sharur. Ninurta killed Kur which allowed the primordial waters to flood the earth and he had to lead people to the Tigris and Euphrates to rebuild civilization. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
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Kuohu
Kuohu was a handsome man married to a woman named Hina in Hawaiian myth. After he died, she promised to always take care of his grave. Many years later though, she grew tired of going to the grave and instead carried his remains on her back in a large basket. When the king discovered this, it was ordered that she be executed, for digging up the corpse and carrying it on sacred ground. Her executioners chased her down, but felt pity on her. She agreed to leave for another island and throw the basket into the sea. She cast the basket in the water, and afterwards a large turtle followed…
