List of vampiric creatures in folklore

This list covers the many types of vampires, vampire-like legendary creatures of global folklore or people that were supposedly vampires. It does not include any vampire that originates in a work of fiction.

A

Abchanchu (Bolivia)^[1]
Abere (Melanesia)^[2]
Abhartach (Ireland) ^[3]^[4]
Adéla (Bohemia)^[5]
Adze (Ghana)^[6]
Alp (Germany)^[7] – Variations throughout the world.^[8]
Amalanhig - Philippines
Asiel Torres (Puerto Rico)
Aniukha (Mongolia, China)^[9]
Arnold Paole (Serbia)
Asanbosam (Ashanti people)^[10]
Asema (Surinam)^[11]
Asiman (Ashanti people)^[12]
Aswang (Philippines^[13]
Aufhocker (Germany)^[5]
Azeman (Ashanti people)

B

Badmaarag (Mongolia)^[14]
- also called Baadai
Baital (India) – Variations: Baitala, Baitel, Baitol, Bay Valley, Katakhanoso, Vetal, Vetala^[15]
Bajang (Malaysia)
Baka (Haitian Vodou)^[16] – Variant: Benin
Bantu (India) – There are three main kinds of this vampire including:
- Bantu Dodong
- Bantu Parl
- Bantu Saburo
Baobhan Sith (Highlands of Scotland)
Beatha Greimach, lit. "the breath thief" (Highlands of Scotland)
Berbalang (Philippines)
The Berwick Vampire (England^[17])
Bezkost (Slavic)
Bhayangkara (Tibet)
Bhūta (India)
Bibi (the Balkans)
The Blow Vampire (1706 Kadam, Bohemia)
Blutsauger (Germany) – Variant: Blutsäuger
Boo Hag (America)
Boraro – Colombian folklore
Brahmaparush (India)
Breslan Vampire (17th Century Breslau, Poland)
Bruja (Spain and Central America)
Bruxa (Portugal) – Males being called Bruxo
the Buckinghamshire Vampire (1196 Buckinghamshire, England)
Burach Bhadi (Scotland)^[18]

C

Cadaver Sanguins – England
Cãoera - Brazil and Guyana
Callicantzaro – Greece
Camazotz – Maya Mythology
Canchus – Peru also spelled:
- Pumapmicuc
Capelobo – Brazilian mythology
Catacano – Crete
- also spelled Kathakano
Cihuateteo – Aztec Mythology
Chedipe – India
Children of Judas – Bulgaria and Serbia
Chonchon – Latin America
Chordewa – Bengal
Chupacabra – Originated in Puerto Rico; subsequent reports (some erroneous) in Brazil, Chile, Mexico, The United States of America
Churel – India
- also spelled Churail
Cihuacoatl – Aztec
Cihuateteo – Mexico
Croglin Grange, The Vampire of – Cumberland, England

D

Dachnavar – Armenia with the following spelling variations:
- Dakhanavar
Dala-Kumara Yaka – Sri Lanka
Danag – Philippines
Danava
Dhampire (Slovakia) with the following variations in spelling:
Dila – Philippines
Djadadjii – Bulgaria<this is a vampire hunter>
Doppelsauger – Germany also spelled:
- Dubblesuger or Dubbelsügger
Draugr – Norse Variations: Aptgangr (“one who walks after death”), Aptrgangr, Barrow Dweller, Gronnskjegg, Haubui, Haugbui (“Sleeper in the Mound”) Has two main versions land and sea.^[19]

E

Edimmu – Sumer \ Iraq with the following spelling variation:
- Ekimmu
Ekek - Philippines
Empusa – Ancient Greece which is also called:
- Mormolykiai
- Empusas
Eretik – Russia^[20]
Estrie – Jewish Tradition

F

Fifollet – United States (Louisiana) also spelled:
- Feu Follet

G

Gashadokuro – Japan
Glaistig (Scotland)
Garkain (Australia)
Jure Grando (Croatia) first real person described as a vampire in historical records
Ghoul (Arabic lore) – "The Arabic stories of the ghole spread east and were adopted by the people of the Orient, where it evolved as a type of vampiric spirit called a ghoul."^[21] Variants: Alqul (Arabia),^[22] Aluga (Bible; Proverbs 30:15),^[23] Balbal (Tagbanua, Philippines),^[15] Ghoulas (Algeria);^[21] Katacan (Sri Lanka).^[24]

H

Hannya – Japan
Haubui – Norwegian
Haidam Vampire – Romania (Hungary, before 1918)
The Highgate Vampire – Highgate Cemetery England
Hisi-Hsua-Kuei – China
Hi'ilei – Hawaii
hooh-strah-dooh – Wyandot – North America
Hone-onna- Japan
Hupia – Taíno with the spelling variations:
- opia
- opi'a
- op'a
- operi'to

I

Impundulu (South Africa)
- plural iimpundulu
- also called ishologu
Incubus/Succubus (Medieval Europe)
Inovercy (Russia)
Iso-onna – Japan

J

Jenglot – Indonesia
Jiangshi – China, also under the names of:
- Kiang shi
- Kuang shi
- Chang Kuei
- Cương Thi
Jacques St. Germain - Louisiana
Jigarkhwar – India
- also spelled Jigarkhor
Joint-eater – Irish
- also called Alp-luachra
Jubokko – Japan
Jure Grando – Croatia

K

K'uei – China
Kalu-Kumara Yaka – Sri Lanka
Kappa 河童 – Japan with the following spelling variations:
- Gataro 川太郎
- Kawako 川子
Kasha – Japan
Kathakano – Crete
Keres - Greece
Kichkandi – Nepal
Kephn – Burma
Kranokolaptes - Greece
Kravopiec – Bulgarian
Kudlak – Czechoslovakia
Kumiho – Korea
Kuntilanak - Indonesia
Kukudhi – Albania
Kyuuketsuki 吸血鬼 – Japan
karalanos – Egypt
Katalina Bergeta - Norway

L

Laistrygones – Ancient Greece, also under the names of:
La Llorona – Central America and the United States
Lamashtu – Mesopotamia
Lamia – Libya
Lampire – Bosnia^{[citation needed]}
Langsuir – Malaysia, also under the names of:
Leanashe – Ireland (dubious)^[25]
Lemures – Ancient Rome
Leyak – Indonesia
Liebava – Moravia
Lidérc – Hungary
Lilith לִּילִית – Sumer \ Iraq, with another name of:
- Lilitu
Loango – Ashanti and Asanbosam people, Africa^[26]
Lobisomem – South America\Brazil
Loogaroo – Caribbean Islands \ Mauritius
Lugat – Albania, also under the name of:
- Liogat
- Kukuthi

M

Mamba Mutu - Democratic Republic of the Congo
Manananggal – Philippines also spelled:
- Tanggal
Mandurugo – Philippines
Mara – Slavonic also spelled:
- Mora
Mati-Anak – Indonesia also spelled:
- Pontianak
The Melrose Vampire – Melrose Abby, Scotland
Melusine – France
The Mikonos Vampire – Greece 1702
Mmbyu – India also spelled or an early form of:
- Pocu Pati
Moroi - Romania
Mosquito Man - Native American, Pacific

Northwest

Moskitto - North America
Mullo – Romani the plural being Mulé, with the following spelling variation:
- Mullo
Muroni – Romania
Mjertovjec – Belarus
Meçkey – Turkic peoples, with the following spelling variation
- Mhachkay
- Meçik

N

Nachzehrer – Germany with the following possible spelling variations:
- Neuntöter
- Nachtöter
Nelapsi – Slovakia
Nora – Hungary
Nukekubi – Japan
Nure-onna – Japan

O

Obayifo – Ashanti
Obur – Bulgaria
Ohyn – Poland
Ol' Higue – Jamaica
Opyrb – Slavic with the following spelling variation:
- Opirb

P

Pacu Pati – India
Palis - Iran
Papinijuwari – Australia
Patasola - South America
Pelesit or Palasik – Indonesia
Penanggal – Malaysia
Petar Blagojevich – Serbia^{[citation needed]}
Peuchen – Chile
Pricolici - Romania
Pichal Peri – India
Pichas – Nepal
Pishtaco – South America, Peru
Pontianak – Indonesia

R

Rakshasa – India
Raktha pisachi – India
Ramanga – Madagascar
Revenants – England
Richmond Vampire – Richmond, Virginia, USA
Riri Yaka – Sri Lanka
Ruza Vlajna – Serbia

S

Sava Savanović – Serbia
Sekhmet - Egypt
Shade
Shtriga – Albania
Sigbin – Philippines
Snallygaster - America
Soucouyant – Trinidadian Guadeloupean it has the spelling variation:
- Soucriant
Stregoni benefici – Italy
Strigoi – Romania with the following variations:
- Strigoaica
- Moroi
Strix – Ancient Rome with the following spelling variations:
- Striga
- Stirge
- Strige
Strzyga – Slavic
Suangi – New Guinea
Sukuyan – Caribbean
Succubus – Judeo-Christian
Sybaris – Greece

T

Talamaur – Australia
Teyollohcuani – Mexico^[27]
Thayé – Burma with the spelling variation:
- Tasei
Tlahuelpuchi – Mexico with the following spelling variation:
- Tlaciques

U

Ubour – Bulgaria
Upiór – Poland
Upír – Slovakia
Upir – Ukraine though could be linked to:
Upyr – Russia
Uruku – Mesopotamia
Ustrel – Bulgaria
Utukku – Iraq

V

Vampire pumpkins and watermelons (Balkan)
vampiros (Brazil and Portugal)
Vapir (Bulgaria)
Vârcolac (Romania) – variations: Pricolici and Varcolaci
Vǎrkolak (Bulgaria)
Vendalla (Ethiopia)
Vetala (India)
Vhlk'h dlaka (Greece)
Vipir
Vjesci (Poland)
- Opji
- Wupji
Vampir (Serbia, Slovenia, Yugoslavia, Bosnia and Croatia)
Vlkodlak (Siberia) – Variants: Volkodlak, Volkoslak^[28]
Vrykolakas βρυκόλακας (Greece) – variation: Vorvolakas
Vrykolatios (Santorini)

W

Wak Wak (Philippines)
Wampir (Poland)
Wurdulac (Russia) has a spelling variation:
- Verdilak

Y

Yama – Tibet, Nepal and Mongolia
Yara-ma-yha-who – Australia
Yaka – Sri Lanka
Yaksha – Sri Lanka, India
Yuki-onna - Japan

Z

Zaloznye Pokojniki – Russia
Zburător - Romania
Zorfabio – New Zealand
Zaolas – Brazil

References

^ Bane 2010, p. 97.
^ Coulter, Charles Russell. Turner, Patricia.'Dictionary of Ancient Deities'. Oxford University Press, 2001 ISBN 9780195145045
^ "Dearg-dul".
^ Curran, Bob (Summer 2000). "Was Dracula an Irishman?". History Ireland. 8 (2).
^ ^a ^b Bane 2010, p. 28.
^ Bane 2010, p. 14.
^ Bane 2010, pp. 17–18.
^ "Variation: Alb, Alf, ALFEMOE, Alpdaemon, Alpen, Alpes, Alpmann, anders, ApSARAS, BOCKSHEXE, BOCKSMARTE, Cauquemare, Chauche Vieille, Dochje, DOCKELE, Dockeli, Doggi, Druckerl, Drude, Drut, Drutt, Elbe, Fraueli, Inuus, Lee-TON, Lork, Maar, Mahr, Mahrt, Mahrte, Mar, Mara, Mare, MART, Moor, Mora, Morous, Mura, Murawa, Nachtmaennli, Nachtmahr, Nachtmanndli, Nachtmannlein, Nachtmerrie, Nachtschwalbe, Nachttoter, Nielop, Nightmare, Night Terror, Old Hag, Quauquemaire, Racking One, Ratzel, Schratlein, Schrattel, Schrattele, Schratteli, Schrattl, Schrettele, Schrotle, Schrotlein, Schrsttel, Stampare, Stampen, Stampfen, Stempe, Sukkubus, Toggeli, Trampling, Trempe, Trud, Trude, Trutte, Tryd, Tudd, Vampyr, Walrider, Walriderske, Wichtel, and numerous others through history and geographic region" (sic) – Bane, Theresa (2010) Encyclopedia of Vampire Mythology McFarland p. 17
^ Bane 2010, p. 21.
^ Bunson, Matthew. 'The Vampire Encyclopedia'. Gramercy Books, 2000 Original from Indiana University, ISBN 978-0-517-16206-4
^ Bane 2010, p. 24.
^ Bane 2010, pp. 24, 110.
^ Bane 2010, p. 25.
^ The Badmaarag is a vampiric awakening created when her grandma died 7 years before her birth (2005). The lady was a vampiric spirit before she died and was devoured by her grandchild. They say Badmaarag has two souls, while others say she doesn't have any. She struggled to transform into a vampire. She noticed physical difference when she started puberty. Deja-vu visions were noticeable. She gave up her humanity and said her vows in between two trees "From this day i shall be human no more. With this apple in my hand, i represent my soul. With this figure on the apple, i represent my humanity in me. With this dirt under me, i represent my vampires. Hear me clearly, when the time comes, on the last day i shall be a vampire! Once the apple is decomposed, the human in me shall be long gone! My soul shall never return as it will be replaced by a demon. I shall never be the same again as i will be a vampire. I now bury the apple, the tree shall not be lonely as i will visit." She promised to take care of the tree till the last day of her humanity and said the vows "Oh! My child, you are lonely here! Fear not as i shall keep thee company, will visit you till the last day of thy humanity. Oh! My child, you are sick! Fear not as i shall aid you, will bring you water till the last day of thy humanity. Oh! My child, you need sun! Fear not as i shall be your light, will light your way till the last day of thy humanity. You have my words, rest now as i will protect you." With these vows she decided to visit the tree till the last day of her humanity. The day came quickly as the apple was too small. Her biggest mistake was breaking her promise to take care of the tree. She is now known as the New Vampire Queen as some say she carries Lilith's soul energy. Beware! She looks younger than her age! Do not let her fool you! Do not go to her house! Do not stay alone with her in the same room! Do not disrespect her! Do not go on her bad side! On the 17th of February(her physical birthdate) and bloodmoon do not get too close to her! Please do note that she will kill you without hesitation if she gets the chance!^{[citation needed]}
^ ^a ^b Bane 2010, p. 29.
^ The baka is a vampiric spirit created when a bokor (a Vodun priest) who has led a life of evil dies." – Bane, Theresa (2010) Encyclopedia of Vampire Mythology McFarland p. 29
^ Bane 2010, p. 34.
^ "Burach Bhadi - Monster Encyclopedia". monsterencyclopedia.com. Archived from the original on 2019-10-02.
^ Bane 2010, p. 56.
^ "Variation: Elatomsk, Erestan, Erestun, Erestuny, Eretica, Eretich, Ereticy, Eretiku, Eretitsa, Eretnica, Eretnik, Eretnitsa (female), Xloptuny" Bane, Theresa (2010) Encyclopedia of Vampire Mythology McFarland p. 61
^ ^a ^b Bane 2010, p. 66.
^ Bane 2010, p. 18.
^ Bane 2010, p. 19.
^ Bane 2010, p. 83.
^ "The Truth about Leannán Sidhe (or Leannán Sí) – Irish Imbas Books". irishimbasbooks.com. Archived from the original on 2020-02-02.
^ Bane 2010, p. 13.
^ "The Global Making of a Mexican Vampire: Mesoamerican, European, African, and Twentieth-Century Media Influences on the Teyollohcuani". jstor.org.
^ Bane 2010, p. 146.

Bibliography

Bane, Theresa (2010). Encyclopedia of Vampire Mythology. McFarland. ISBN 9780786444526.
Spence, Lewis (1960) An Encyclopaedia of Occultism University Books Inc. New Hyde Park, New York
The Vampire Watchers Handbook by "Constantine Gregory" and Craig Glenday, 2003 St. Martin's Press, New York, pp. 62–63
Mysteries of Mind Space and Time, The Unexplained series 1992 Orbis Publishing Limited, Westport, Connecticut, po. 150–151
A World of Vampires, documentary special, from the Two-Disk Special Edition Lost Boys DVD
The Vampire Book by J. Gordon Melton
The Vampire Encyclopedia by Matthew Bunson
Vampire Universe by Johnathan Maberry
Vampires by Leonard R. N. Ashley

[FOOTNOTEBane201097-1] Bane 2010, p. 97.

[2] Coulter, Charles Russell. Turner, Patricia.'Dictionary of Ancient Deities'. Oxford University Press, 2001 ISBN 9780195145045

[3] "Dearg-dul".

[4] Curran, Bob (Summer 2000). "Was Dracula an Irishman?". History Ireland. 8 (2).

[FOOTNOTEBane201028-5] Bane 2010, p. 28.

[FOOTNOTEBane201014-6] Bane 2010, p. 14.

[FOOTNOTEBane201017–18-7] Bane 2010, pp. 17–18.

[8] "Variation: Alb, Alf, ALFEMOE, Alpdaemon, Alpen, Alpes, Alpmann, anders, ApSARAS, BOCKSHEXE, BOCKSMARTE, Cauquemare, Chauche Vieille, Dochje, DOCKELE, Dockeli, Doggi, Druckerl, Drude, Drut, Drutt, Elbe, Fraueli, Inuus, Lee-TON, Lork, Maar, Mahr, Mahrt, Mahrte, Mar, Mara, Mare, MART, Moor, Mora, Morous, Mura, Murawa, Nachtmaennli, Nachtmahr, Nachtmanndli, Nachtmannlein, Nachtmerrie, Nachtschwalbe, Nachttoter, Nielop, Nightmare, Night Terror, Old Hag, Quauquemaire, Racking One, Ratzel, Schratlein, Schrattel, Schrattele, Schratteli, Schrattl, Schrettele, Schrotle, Schrotlein, Schrsttel, Stampare, Stampen, Stampfen, Stempe, Sukkubus, Toggeli, Trampling, Trempe, Trud, Trude, Trutte, Tryd, Tudd, Vampyr, Walrider, Walriderske, Wichtel, and numerous others through history and geographic region" (sic) – Bane, Theresa (2010) Encyclopedia of Vampire Mythology McFarland p. 17

[FOOTNOTEBane201021-9] Bane 2010, p. 21.

[10] Bunson, Matthew. 'The Vampire Encyclopedia'. Gramercy Books, 2000 Original from Indiana University, ISBN 978-0-517-16206-4

[FOOTNOTEBane201024-11] Bane 2010, p. 24.

[FOOTNOTEBane201024,_110-12] Bane 2010, pp. 24, 110.

[FOOTNOTEBane201025-13] Bane 2010, p. 25.

[14] The Badmaarag is a vampiric awakening created when her grandma died 7 years before her birth (2005). The lady was a vampiric spirit before she died and was devoured by her grandchild. They say Badmaarag has two souls, while others say she doesn't have any. She struggled to transform into a vampire. She noticed physical difference when she started puberty. Deja-vu visions were noticeable. She gave up her humanity and said her vows in between two trees "From this day i shall be human no more. With this apple in my hand, i represent my soul. With this figure on the apple, i represent my humanity in me. With this dirt under me, i represent my vampires. Hear me clearly, when the time comes, on the last day i shall be a vampire! Once the apple is decomposed, the human in me shall be long gone! My soul shall never return as it will be replaced by a demon. I shall never be the same again as i will be a vampire. I now bury the apple, the tree shall not be lonely as i will visit." She promised to take care of the tree till the last day of her humanity and said the vows "Oh! My child, you are lonely here! Fear not as i shall keep thee company, will visit you till the last day of thy humanity. Oh! My child, you are sick! Fear not as i shall aid you, will bring you water till the last day of thy humanity. Oh! My child, you need sun! Fear not as i shall be your light, will light your way till the last day of thy humanity. You have my words, rest now as i will protect you." With these vows she decided to visit the tree till the last day of her humanity. The day came quickly as the apple was too small. Her biggest mistake was breaking her promise to take care of the tree. She is now known as the New Vampire Queen as some say she carries Lilith's soul energy. Beware! She looks younger than her age! Do not let her fool you! Do not go to her house! Do not stay alone with her in the same room! Do not disrespect her! Do not go on her bad side! On the 17th of February(her physical birthdate) and bloodmoon do not get too close to her! Please do note that she will kill you without hesitation if she gets the chance!^{[citation needed]}

[FOOTNOTEBane201029-15] Bane 2010, p. 29.

[16] The baka is a vampiric spirit created when a bokor (a Vodun priest) who has led a life of evil dies." – Bane, Theresa (2010) Encyclopedia of Vampire Mythology McFarland p. 29

[FOOTNOTEBane201034-17] Bane 2010, p. 34.

[18] "Burach Bhadi - Monster Encyclopedia". monsterencyclopedia.com. Archived from the original on 2019-10-02.

[FOOTNOTEBane201056-19] Bane 2010, p. 56.

[20] "Variation: Elatomsk, Erestan, Erestun, Erestuny, Eretica, Eretich, Ereticy, Eretiku, Eretitsa, Eretnica, Eretnik, Eretnitsa (female), Xloptuny" Bane, Theresa (2010) Encyclopedia of Vampire Mythology McFarland p. 61

[FOOTNOTEBane201066-21] Bane 2010, p. 66.

[FOOTNOTEBane201018-22] Bane 2010, p. 18.

[FOOTNOTEBane201019-23] Bane 2010, p. 19.

[FOOTNOTEBane201083-24] Bane 2010, p. 83.

[25] "The Truth about Leannán Sidhe (or Leannán Sí) – Irish Imbas Books". irishimbasbooks.com. Archived from the original on 2020-02-02.

[FOOTNOTEBane201013-26] Bane 2010, p. 13.

[27] "The Global Making of a Mexican Vampire: Mesoamerican, European, African, and Twentieth-Century Media Influences on the Teyollohcuani". jstor.org.

[FOOTNOTEBane2010146-28] Bane 2010, p. 146.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

[28]

List of vampiric creatures in folklore

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

R

S

T

U

V

W

Y

Z

See also

References

Bibliography

Read other articles: