Loogaroo
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Across the Caribbean and African Disapora, the Loogaroo, Ligaroo, Lougarou or Lagahoo is a type of shapeshifter, sorcerer or vampire, similar to a werewolf. The term comes from the French word for werewolf, loup-garou. It is related to the myth of the Soucouyant.
Across the Caribbean and African Disapora, the Loogaroo, Ligaroo, Lougarou or Lagahoo is a type of shapeshifter, sorcerer or vampire, similar to a werewolf. The term comes from the French word for werewolf, loup-garou. It is related to the myth of the Soucouyant.
History
Stories of the Loogaroo are widespread through the Caribbean Islands, often being told to children to warn them the dangers of going out at night. Myths of the Loogaroo have also spread to other areas with a Caribbean diaspora, such as in Shepherds Bush, London. Some myths describe the Loogaroo as female, although later myths include male loogaroos as well. In some myths, like the Soucouyant, the Loogaroo is described as a witch who has sold her soul to the Devil. She is able to shed her skin to turn into a vampiric fireball, known as a "corpse candle". According to these myths, she will have magical abilities only if she gives the Devil blood every night. She tries to give him blood of other creatures, or else he will take her own, killing her. The Loogahoo can leave her own skin (usually under a "Devil Tree," a silk cotton tree) and turn into a flame or blue ball of bright light that haunts the night searching for blood to meet the terms of her deal. After she has collected enough blood she can return to her skin and retake human form. In later adaptations of the myth, Loogahoo is a man that has been corrupted by wealth and has dealt with the Devil to keep his status. He is often disguised as a charming and well dressed man, to lure young women to their deaths. He primarily draws blood from the stomach and abdomen. ]]
Mauritius
In Mauritian folklore, the Lougarou is a notorious figure mostly used to scare children. It appears at full moon and brings trouble to the local population. Protection against the Lougarou is believed to be given if a person consults a longanis (i.e. a local sorcerer) or a treter (i.e. witch doctor). Following Cyclone Hollanda in 1994, a form of Lougarou, known as Touni Minwi (lit. "Naked at Midnight"), was believed to visit women in their homes at night. This led to hysteria among the local population; many witnesses would affirm having seen frightful manifestations at night time, including apparitions of Lougarou. The Touni Minwi phenomenon led to a large mobilization of people in the capital, Port Louis, and in the village of Lallmatie.
Cited sources
See also
La Diablesse Rougarou Werewolf
Text derived from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1373918728 under CC BY-SA 4.0; modifications have been made.