Talk:List of vampiric creatures in folklore

Untitled
I know this list in incomplete and I am working on finding further examples of vampire species outside of games, tv, or film. It's always bugged me that there has never been any sort of definitive list of vampires around the world and when you look it up on the internet your flooded with these rpg sites. I dont pretent to be an expert of vampires though.

And before I forget, I know I did not give a link page to most of them because as I checked wiki to see if the species did have a page I would find that other, off topic things would come up. Such as when you type in Adze you get a type of axe. The creature I am refering to is a sort of vampire in the form of a firefly and lives around tribal shamans or sorceres and will drink anything from blood to coconut water and tree sap.

Also where ever possible I would like to include the countries form of writting. As I added the Kanji (is that right?) character with the Kappa listing and the Greek letter alongside the Vrykolakas.I just dont know them. Vila 10:44, 16 July 2006 (UTC)

Why I have not listed a country for Azeman
I'm not to sure about this one. I know she's a type of vampire who appears as a normal woman in daylight but at night become a Vampire Bat who prefers to feed from the big toe of her sleeping victim. I'm just unsure of where the myth originated from. I'm told it's from Georgia but I am unable to confirm it. Vila 11:01, 16 July 2006 (UTC)

Doppelsauger Different than Doppelgänger
The Doppelsauger as I understand them to be, are children who drank breast milk after they have been weaned onto solid food but die before reaching adulthood. They were known for attacking their living relatives. For info on the Doppelgänger, see it's page. Vila 08:31, 22 July 2006 (UTC)


 * Bane's Encyclopedia of Vampire Mythology lists the Doppelgänger as a variant of the Doppelsauger. Her sources for the entry are "Barber, Vampires, Burial, and Death, 37; International Society for Folk Narrative Research, Folk Narrative and Cultural Identity, 300; McClelland, Slayers and Their Vampires, 197; Perkowski, The Darkling, 106"--2606:A000:7D44:100:9996:1989:AD43:CB1A (talk) 13:31, 13 December 2017 (UTC)

Reference Notes
I'll add page numbers shortly. Vila 03:33, 23 July 2006 (UTC)

Dhampirs
For people thinking about creating a separate list for dhampirs. It should be noted that this list refers to 'vampire' as a very broad concept and includes vampire-like creatures. Thus, there is no need to create a separate list for dhampirs. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Flygongengar (talk • contribs) 22:50, 5 April 2009 (UTC)

Eretica
Ereik, Is this referring to the Eretica? (Ereik sounds male, I'm guessing this is the female version). Heres a small excerpt I found on the internet. Eretica= Area from/nationality: Russian. Vampire, usually considered to be a heretic who has returned from the dead. It was in general said to be a woman who sold her soul in life and then returns in the form of a ragged old woman. At nightfall a group of Ereticy would gather in ravines and perform a form of sabbat. Said to be active only in spring and autumn, it was believed that seeing the eyes of such a creature would result in a slow withering death. Clarification?The Unbeholden (talk) 17:51, 11 December 2009 (UTC)
 * I found this.. Eretik= In russian lore is a Heretic that becomes a vampire after death, drinking blood. Eretica is the female. Not sure about Ereik, I have nothing on it so far, probably a miss spelling. The Unbeholden (talk) 20:00, 11 December 2009 (UTC)
 * According to Bane's Encyclopedia of Vampire Mythology (pg 61) the Eretica is a variant of the Eretik. "Eretik. Variation: Elatomsk, Erestan, Erestun, Erestuny, Eretica, Eretich, Ereticy, Eretiku, Eretitsa, Eretnica, Eretnik, Eretnitsa (female), Xloptuny
 * In Russian folklore, if a dying person is possessed before passing away and then is reanimated by a witch or sorcerer, the body becomes a type of LIVING VAMPIRE called an eretik ("heretic")."(sic)--2606:A000:7D44:100:9996:1989:AD43:CB1A (talk) 13:38, 13 December 2017 (UTC)

Muroni
Found this excerpt. I'm pretty sure its a different variety to the Moroi/Strigoi which are also Romanian. Muroni= Area from/nationality: Wallachia region of Romania. It is said to have the ability to change itself into a variety of different animal forms. While in one of these incarnations the Muroni can kill easily, with misleading signs of attack being left. The Unbeholden (talk) 17:51, 11 December 2009 (UTC)

Nosferatu
It was made into a german silent film in 1921, being the first vampire film. Though the name and origin is from Romania I believe. Heres an excerpt. Nosferatu= Area from/nationality: Romanian. A species of vampire, said to be the illegitimate child of parents who were illegitimate. Soon after its burial the Nosferatu embarks on a long career of destruction. It delights in tormenting and engaging in wild orgies with the living. The male can father children. The vampire hates newly married couples due to its own illegitimacy and wreaks its revenge on such couples by making the groom impotent and the bride barren. The Unbeholden (talk) 17:51, 11 December 2009 (UTC)

Ramanga
Even the small country of madagascar has its folklore of the vampire. the excerpt... Ramanga= Area from/Nationality: Madagascar. A living vampire. A servant of the tribal elders the Ramanga would consume the nail clippings and spilled blood of a noble member of the tribe. The Unbeholden (talk) 17:53, 11 December 2009 (UTC)

Striges
I think this is the Strix, from Ancient Rome though I'm not sure. heres the excerpt. Striges= Area from/Nationality: unconfirmed. A female witch-vampire, which could transform into a crow and would then drink the blood of humans. Classified among the living vampires. The Unbeholden (talk) 17:53, 11 December twothousandfoyrteenUTC)

The legend of bloodsucking vampires has captured our imagination for generations. Mysterious tales of undead rising from their coffins to terrorise the living and drain their blood are the stuff of horror movies and novels.

the legend of the vampire started in pamphila in the seventeen th century. A bite of a beast with obviously long k-nines. Unsure of the beast that left the body bloodless .Tales were told that were quite convincing of a vampire. This is the story a girl named Mecky Brownand her family died of an unfimmilar illness after a while lots of people were found ded because lackof blood .More and more people died from the same cause. So they dig up Mecky Brown and her heart was still pumping.So they take out her heart

Volkodlak
Its a vampire I'm sure, from Slovenia. Though Volkodlak= Area from/Nationality: Slovenia. Vampire, linked in some ways to various werewolf legends. The Unbeholden (talk) 17:53, 11 December 2009 (UTC)

Vrykolatios
Its different to the Vrykolakas. Its from a small archipelago of volcanic islands. Vrykolatios= Area from/Nationality: Island of Santorini. They are described as fiends which banquet on the living. And heres the Vrykolakas to compare= Area from/Nationality: Adriatic and Aegean regions. Vampire that is created by various means including an immoral life. It travels in the dark and knocks upon doors, calling out the name of someone inside, if the person responds they will die soon after. It gains further powers as it grows older. The Unbeholden (talk) 17:53, 11 December 2009 (UTC)

Zmeu
Heres the excerpt. Zmeu= Area from/Nationality: Moldavia (Never even heard of this country). Vampiric figure that takes the form of a flame and entered the room of a young girl or widow. Once inside the flame became a man who seduced her. The Unbeholden (talk) 17:53, 11 December 2009 (UTC)
 * I have checked this out, and apparently this is not a vampiric creature. Its a mythic dragon, its been listed sometimes as a demon, like the succubus, though the succubus properties is draining life and seducing victims, whereas Zmeu have been said to kidnaps people, (women usually) on the purpose of marrying them. Succubus can be listed as a demon/vampiric creature. Same goes for the Efreet, who is fire Demon, sometimes connected to vampires. —Preceding unsigned comment added by The Unbeholden (talk • contribs) 02:19, 13 December 2009 (UTC)

Canchus/Pumapmicuc
I have no idea if this is true or not, but I found it from 2 websites while skimming the web. In Peru, the "canchus" or "Pumapmicuc" is a class of devil worshipers who "suck blood from the sleeping young in order to partake of their life." I think it was proven that they where human, I'm not sure. If anyone can verify. The Unbeholden (talk) 19:57, 11 December 2009 (UTC)

Pishtaco
The Pishtaco was vampire-like man (white skin and so forth), that was often seen, but it didn't have anything to do with blood drinking. Though it did have bodies killed in horrible ways, ussually with body fat missing. The Unbeholden (talk) 09:44, 12 December 2009 (UTC)

Hupia
Hupias, as spirits of the dead and the night, were feared and said to seduce women and kidnap people who ventured outside after dark. The Unbeholden (talk) 09:44, 12 December 2009 (UTC)

Tasei
Not much on this one, The thayé, also spelt 'Tasei' is part of Burmese mythology. They are once evil people condemned to be disembodied spirits which can appear as tall dark people with huge ears, long tongues and tusklike teeth. They enter town at noon or by dark and usually cause minor illness. The Unbeholden (talk) 09:44, 12 December 2009 (UTC)

Djadadjii
This is not a vampire. There were reports from Bulgaria of a unique method of dealing with the vampire: bottling. This practice required a specialist, the Djadadjii, who had mastered the art. The Djadadjii's major asset was an icon, a holy picture of Jesus, Mary, or one of the Christian saints. The vampire hunter took his icon and waited where the suspected vampire was likely to appear. Once he saw the vampire, he chased it, icon in hand. The vampire was driven toward a bottle that had been stuffed with its favorite food. Once the vampire entered the bottle, it was corked and then thrown into the fire. Perhaps I should start a stub for this guy, I think its enough information. The Unbeholden (talk) 19:26, 12 December 2009 (UTC)

Uruku
Ancient Mesopotamia had a rich demonology which also featured, among others, the Uruku, referred to as a "vampyre which attacks man" in a cuneiform inscription, and the Seven Demons mentioned in many texts and incantations of the Mesopotamian cultures. One Sumerian banishing rite describes the latter as immortal blood drinkers. Its covered here, http://www.lesvampires.org/mirrorsportal/ancient.html < It covers Empusai and Mormolykiai if you read it through to the end. Mormolykiai are referred to as Hobgoblins. And closer to the beginning it also mentions Ekimmu. The Unbeholden (talk) 20:08, 12 December 2009 (UTC)

Obur
They are also known as the Krvopijac and Ustrel. The Obur are Bulgarian. The obur was a gluttonous blood drinker, and was also very loud, capable of creating noises not unlike that of a firecracker, and had the ability to move objects like a poltergeist. Its a very good link http://www.vampirerave.com/member_articles2.php?entry=159 one of the good credible sources. The Unbeholden (talk) 20:22, 12 December 2009 (UTC)

Draugr
This is from Norse Mythology, I haven't ever heard of vampires from them before. They are also noted for the ability to rise from the grave as wisps of smoke. In folklore the draugar slay their victims through various methods including crushing them with their enlarged forms, devouring their flesh, and drinking their blood The Unbeholden (talk) 22:25, 12 December 2009 (UTC)

Haubui
Haubui located in Norwegian territory. A mound dweller. A dead body living on in its tomb. Rarely found far from the burial place. They will only harm those who dare to trespass on it’s grave. Undead, which fits in with vampires The Unbeholden (talk) 22:32, 12 December 2009 (UTC)

Stregoni Benefici
Italian vampire, yet again a country not on the list yet. Stregoni Benefici= Area from/Nationality: Italy. An Italian vampire, said to be on the side of goodness, and a mortal enemy of all evil vampires. The Unbeholden (talk) 17:53, 11 December 2009 (UTC)
 * It seems this is something that was made up by Stephanie Meyer in her novel series, Twilight. Same goes for The Cold Ones: Apotamkin. However I did find that there is the strega which is a italian witch. I've read that it has some connection to vampires.The Unbeholden (talk) 21:04, 19 December 2009 (UTC)

Wrong wikilinks
Lot of listed vampires are actually wikied to totally different articles! Please be careful when adding new ones. Present vampires need addition of "vampire" or similar, in the link.

--Gdje je nestala duša svijeta (talk) 20:41, 23 February 2010 (UTC)

Why are these Here
These guys are Murders not vampires and last time i checked This list covers the many types of vampires or vampire-like legendary creatures of global folklore and mythology some how i don't think people that Kill people in real life should be included on this list.-- Steam   Iron  03:13, 22 April 2010 (UTC)
 * John George Haigh – England 1910-1949
 * Joseph Vacher - France 1869 – 1898

Jararaca
Commonly miss spelt as Jaracaca or Jaracara. It was very difficult to find something about this one. This is what I got. The tale of how jararacas fed on the milk of nursing women who were asleep. While they suckled the breast, they were said to put the tip of the tail into the baby's mouth, fooling it into suckling the tail so that it wouldn't cry and awake the mother. Jararacas were said to suckle milk from mares too. In some myths it says they make a small bite, and suckle blood along with the milk. If someone could find a reliable source, then it could be added.The Unbeholden (talk) 04:28, 29 July 2010 (UTC)

Sorry, but your entry is wrong. I'm brazilian and just because there's rare jararaca folklore about them stealing milk from mothers, this doesn't classify them as vampires and no brazilian would recognize it as a variant on the actual vampire folklore (the average brazilian folklore about vampires is derived from Portugal's folklore on the subject and not so strong as belief and folklore about werewolves, that is far more widespread). There IS reliable source for brazilian folklore in Câmara Cascudo's books.

I'm kind of amused to see this entry and the one for "Zaolas", as far as I can search for the only source for them is the web AND the wikipedia article on it, and all the "sources" are in english. There's NOTHING in portuguese. You see, I should find at least the name of the supposed brazilian tribe that believes in it. The only reference I see is in the spanish wikipedia, citing "Cohen: Encyclopedia of Monsters, pp. 271-274." I would like to know where Cohen found this info. Lanika Moon 20:07, 31 December 2010


 * "Broxa (Behroxah)

Variation; Broxo, Bruja, Bruxa, Bruxsa


 * In Jewish folklore, the broxa was a bird that suckled goats for their milk. It has been speculated that over time the broxa bird evolved into the broxa VAMPIRIC WITCH of medieval Portugal.


 * In the Portuguese lore, the broxa was a vampiric, demonic witch that looked like a typical human being. (...) Source: Gaster, Myth, Legend, and Custom, 580; Masters, Eros and Evil, 181; Monaghan, Women in Myth, 51; Trachtenberg, Jewish Magic, 43" - Bane, Theresa (2010). Encyclopedia of Vampire Mythology. McFarland. ISBN 9780786444526. pg 39 The Lobishomen are vampires in Brazil but werewolves in Portugal.--172.75.14.11 (talk) 14:15, 13 December 2017 (UTC)

Apotamkin
This creature is unlike most other vampire folklore because it’s exclusive to the Native American people. The Apotamkin was a vampire like creature, sometimes referred so a vampire, or bloodsucker. According to the book Vampire Universe by Jonathan Maberry, the Apotamkin is a legend of the Maliseet-Passamaquoddy tribe. The creature is hairy with long fangs, and some consider it to be the Native American version of a vampire. It was believed that the Apotamkin would feast on the blood of any animal or human. One interpretation of Apotamkin is that it is a myth used to instill fear into children from venturing into areas alone and without parental guidance. I would like to find more sources. The Unbeholden (talk) 04:40, 29 July 2010 (UTC)

Bad article.
The writing varies and some of the creatures can not be found in any sources, implying that they are made up or mispelled here. I have worked on it a bit but it needs more work and cites.

Infact many creatures listed are not actually vampires at all, just monsters who eat people! Nakamura Mondo (talk) 19:23, 26 November 2010 (UTC)

Theresa Bane as a master reference
Theresa Bane wrote Encyclopedia of Vampire Mythology in 2010. It is published by McFarland (making it verifiable) and each listing (many of which have alternate spelling and names) has its own reference showing where the information came from. For example, the Baka heading states at the end "Source: Davis, Passage of Darkness, 51; Owusu, Voodoo Rituals, 54, 79; Malbrough, Hoodoo Mysteries, 3­4, 131, 180" This should clear up many of the issues the page has. There is also an online version which makes searching for variant names/spellings much easier as the plain text version at internet archive has some issues.--2606:A000:7D44:100:9996:1989:AD43:CB1A (talk) 12:43, 13 December 2017 (UTC)

Theresa Bane IS NOT a reference
Given how may times Theresa Bane has been busted for flat out making things up and including vintage typoes as individual listings, her having anything to do with this list throws the entire "scholarly list" into doubt. Please to note that she bootlegged her own book - the website vampmyth is hers. Theresa Bane is not a reliable source in any sense of the word "reliable" and I highly suspect she is altering this list to include her own research to boost sales and hits to her sites. User 3650 (talk) 03:43, 20 February 2018 (UTC)


 * Agreed. When pressed on providing sources that are from pre 2000 (and especially from pre 1900s as she has claimed, many of her characters are from ancient texts), there is nothing but silence. There is no evidence to support any of her claims and she has been debunked many times by academic scholars from many countires that do study the topic. She cannot be considered a WP:RS based upon her book sales.79.155.41.48 (talk) 11:33, 6 January 2024 (UTC)

Sources on Lane Johnston
Can anyone find sources about Lane Johnston? Being from the US myself, I was intrigued to see a uniquely American vampire on this list I had not heard of. That said, upon doing a web search about Lane Johnston, vampire, the only result that seemed possibly relevant was a blog post which debunks a New Orleans ghost tour's story about a reputedly vampire-related killing in 2003, where the victim's surname was Johnson and one of his killers had the surname Lane. (Disclaimer: This was a real murder, but nothing to do with vampires.) Searching for "'Lane Johnston' vampire" (with the name in quotes) only turns back this article and similar lists on various wikis. I would say Johnston should be removed from the list, but figured I'd ask for backup in case there are sources on Johnston that aren't available through just a Google search. Karmicalic (talk) 16:43, 3 August 2022 (UTC)