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Soucouyant
By day, an old woman. By night, she sheds her skin, becomes a ball of fire, and flies seeking blood. The Soucouyant enters through keyholes. Find her skin and salt it—she can never return.
Ancient - Present
Caribbean
500+ witnesses
The Soucouyant is a vampire-like creature from Caribbean folklore, particularly Trinidad and Tobago.
The Legend
According to documented folklore:
The Soucouyant:
- Appears as an old woman by day
- Sheds her skin at night
- Becomes a ball of fire
- Enters homes to drink blood
- Must return to skin before dawn
Description
At night:
- She removes her skin
- Transforms into fire
- Flies through the air
- Enters through any crack
- Drinks blood of sleeping victims
Identifying a Soucouyant
The woman may:
- Live alone
- Be reclusive
- Have bruises or marks
- Be unusually healthy for her age
- Be suspected by neighbors
Defeating Her
To destroy a Soucouyant:
- Find where she hides her skin
- Fill it with salt or pepper
- She cannot re-enter it
- She dies at sunrise
- Pile rice at doors (she must count each grain)
Protection
To prevent attacks:
- Leave rice by doors and windows
- She must count every grain
- This delays her until dawn
- Crosses and holy items help
- Tight-sealing homes
Origins
The legend comes from:
- African vampire traditions
- Brought to Caribbean
- Mixed with European lore
- Part of Creole culture