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  • Ghosts,  M,  Undead,  Vampires,  Werewolves,  Witches

    Mjertovjec

    The Mjertovjec is an undead creature from the myths of Belarus. They have the features of vampires, werewolves, and witches, and are created when a werewolf or a witch dies. They may be the ghost of someone who cursed their father during church service. They are described as having purple faces. One could also become a Mjertovjec if they committed heresy, abandoned their faith, or committed crimes against God. They feed on human flesh and blood, hunting only at night. Mjertovjec can be destroyed by sprinkling poppy seeds on the road between their grave and their former house. They could also be killed by driving a nail into their coffin. Citations:…

  • M,  Serbia,  Slavic,  Spirits

    Milosnice/Merciful

    The Milosnice is a creature of Slavic belief specifically from Serbia. They are thought to be invisible beings that bring disease. Though often invisible, they sometimes take the form of women dressed all in black. They may work alone but have also been known to work in groups to cause even worse disease. In some places it was believed they possessed people to cause illness while other times they spread disease by poisoning food or the air. It was often believed that every Milosnice carried one specific disease that they spread. If an outbreak began, the Milosnice responsible could be stopped by lighting fires at crossroads and the entrances to…

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  • Congo,  Cryptids,  M,  River Monsters

    Miga/Migas

    The Migas are large aquatic cryptids from the Congo. They are described as huge flat creatures with long tentacle-like protrusions. Sometimes it’s thought to have a head comparable to a gorgon. They’re thought to live in the upper waterways of the Congo River. Anything that gets too close to them is grabbed and pulled down to their lair. They are known to hide among rocks. They drain victims of blood and eat brains from infants. Some theorized identities of these creatures are freshwater octopus, drastically warped stories of manatees, or giant catfish. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers,…

  • Inuit,  M

    Meminiteu

    The Meminiteu are from the Inuit Native Americans. They are people who became cannibals and began hunting others of their people. They have shamanistic abilities, strength, and intelligence. They were always defeated by a hero with great spiritual power. Stories of these creatures are considered myth rather than history. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Giants and Humanoids in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.

  • Connecticut,  M,  Michigan,  New England,  Ohio,  Urban Legends

    Melon Heads

    The Melon Heads are mythical creatures from Connecticut, New England, Ohio, and Michigan. They’re described as hideous mutants with giant bald and bulbous heads. They’re small in stature and have long spindly arms and fingers. They have crooked, blocky, and discolored teeth. Sometimes they have red eyes and they are considered extremely dangerous. Wearing dark, tattered clothes makes it harder for them to see and can prevent an attack and often attack during full moons. Some accounts say they can move incredibly fast, in one account one kept up with a car going 45 to 50 mph. They often make high-pitched screams before attacking. They live in shadows and on…

  • Demonic,  Ghosts,  M,  Marshall Islands

    Mejenkwaad

    The Mejenkwaad is a form of ghost or demon from the Marshall Islands. They are formed when the husbands of pregnant women leave, and do not return before the birth. After transforming, they devour their husbands as soon as they return. It was believed this was the fate of any lonely pregnant woman. There is a story of the island of Airok which had an incredibly high pregnancy death rate and was filled with Mejenkwaad. There were two women who never gave birth and lived to be old. They treated these Mejenkwaad as their daughters. They lived on the oceanside of Airok and none passed through that area because of…

  • Aliens,  M,  Oregon

    Mederios Alien Hominid

    This was an alien creature sighted near Portland, Oregon in May of 1971. It was described as an ape-like creature standing ten feet tall, gray in color, with low hanging arms. It was sighted initially by a man named Joe Mederios, and then separately sighted by three businessmen, despite Joe intentionally telling no one due to fear of ridicule. It was seen many times around a trailer park by a number of people. In these incidents, it often stood in place for extended periods of time, simply staring. Eventually it disappeared from the area. Citations: Steiger, Brad, and Steiger, Sherry Hansen. Real Aliens, Space Beings, and Creatures from Other Worlds.…

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  • Bogeyman Figures,  M,  Shapeshifters,  Tanzania,  Therianthrope,  Turu,  Witches

    Mbojo

    The Mbojo is a shapeshifter from the beliefs of the Turu people from Tanzania. They are thought to be witch doctors that could become lions, and are blamed for various unexplained deaths. Sometimes however these deaths are thought be done by normal lions controlled by a witch-doctor. Often it would be believed that Mbojo would be hired basically as assassins to kill one’s enemies. Some however believe it is simply people who learned to kill in a way that imitates a mauling from a lion, or were convinced they were lions through drugs and other such means. Sometimes the Mbojo is used as a bogeyman figure of sorts. Some real…

  • India,  M,  Nepal,  Vampires

    Mashan/Chudel

    The Mashan is a demonic vampire from Nepal and India. Mashan are rare and have unnaturally long lives. They feed on blood and then flesh, cause madness, control the dead, and kill randomly. They live in an alternate dimension meant for demons, and they cross between worlds where the border is thinnest. Mashan rarely finds a weak point to use and cross over and often requires a magic user to pull them through in an attempt to control them. Magic users can hold Mashan, but lose control if they make even a small mistake. They can be stopped with prayers to the god Shiva, who tells them to return to…

  • Germany,  M,  Sleep Paralysis Demons

    Mare

    The Mare is another term for an Alp from German myth. When an Alp attacks a horse, it is referred to as a Mare. It mounts the horse and rides it until it dies of exhaustion. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Vampire Mythology. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2017.