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Strigoi
The troubled dead of Romania. Strigoi rise from their graves, returning to their families to drain their life. The original vampires—older than Dracula, and still feared in Romanian villages.
Ancient - Present
Romania
1000+ witnesses
Strigoi are undead creatures from Romanian folklore, considered the original basis for vampire legends.
The Legend
According to documented folklore:
Strigoi are:
- The troubled dead
- Rising from their graves
- Returning to their families
- Draining life and blood
- The basis for vampire legends
Types
Two categories exist:
- Strigoi vii: living strigoi (witches with certain traits)
- Strigoi mort: dead strigoi (reanimated corpses)
- Both are dangerous
- The dead are more feared
Becoming a Strigoi
One becomes strigoi through:
- Being born with a caul
- Having a tail
- Dying unbaptized
- Suicide
- Being cursed
- Improper burial
Behavior
Strigoi:
- Return to their families first
- Drain their life force
- Can become visible
- May have physical form
- Cause death and illness
Prevention
To stop a strigoi:
- Proper burial rituals
- Staking the corpse
- Removing the heart
- Burying face down
- Placing garlic in mouth
Belief Today
In Romania:
- Belief persists in rural areas
- Bodies have been exhumed in recent times
- Rituals still performed
- The tradition is ancient