Although Halloween is largely known as an American holiday, that doesn’t mean that other countries don’t have their own frightening creatures and scary stories that have been passed down through generations.
Being from Nigeria myself, we were often told these stories to scare us straight. But even if you just have a morbid curiosity for the underworld, here are three creatures you’ve probably never heard of until now:
1. Mami Wata (or Mother Water): Africa, African diaspora
Both feared and worshipped, Mami Wata is a dangerous and seductive water spirit that looks like a mermaid, or a “human” depending on how she chooses to target a new victim, abducting people into the spirit world while they’re out fishing or boating.
2. Preta (or Hungry Ghost): Asia
Traditionally known as ghosts who have been reincarnated into invisible human-like beings that have an insatiable hunger for the bizarre (including cadavers), these creatures are thought to have been corrupted, greedy people in their past life and now dwell in deserts and wastelands.
3. La Llorona (or the Weeping Woman): Latin America
She is a woman who was abandoned by her husband and subsequently drowned her own children out of grief and anger, she now wanders for all eternity looking for the bodies of her dead children, causing misfortune to anyone who dares come near her.
Want even more scares? The International Club at Winona State University will be hosting Haunted Rooms this Friday, Oct. 25 with more haunts based on foreign creatures like these. Be sure to mark your calendars and come check it out!