Folklore Fangirl

Meet El Cucuy, the unseen figure of Latin American folklore whispered about at bedtime. More warning than monster, El Cucuy is said to wait in its mountain cave for children who stay awake too long or wander where they shouldn’t. No one agrees what it looks like—only that you never want to find out.  Resources: https://www.jahernandez.com/posts/el-coco-el-cucuy-the-child-eater This is the one with...

The Corgi is no ordinary dog in Welsh folklore. Look closely, and you may glimpse the faint outline of a saddle across its back. Long ago, the Fair Folk rode these swift little hounds into moonlit revels and hidden realms. Some say they still do.  Resources: https://www.mentalfloss.com/animals/dogs/ancient-connection-between-corgis-and-fairies https://medium.com/the-daily-cuppa/welsh-legend-tells-...

Explore the Nuppeppō, a strange shambling being from Japanese folklore said to appear in quiet places where people rarely linger. Its soft, sagging form is unsettling rather than threatening, and stories disagree on whether it carries hidden blessings or something far less welcome. If you ever meet one… deciding whether to approach may matter more than courage. Resources: https://yokai.com/nuppepp...

Explore Hel, the Norse goddess who rules the realm of the dead. Described as half living and half corpse-like, she watches over those who die of illness, old age, or other natural causes, serving as a solemn keeper of the boundary between life and death. Resources: https://norse-mythology.org/cosmology/the-nine-worlds/helheim/ https://norsespirit.com/blogs/mythology/hel?srsltid=AfmBOoqT0468dvq0ZUp...

Explore the Bunyip, a mysterious creature said to lurk in the swamps, rivers, and billabongs of Australian Aboriginal folklore. Described in many forms—shaggy, tusked, seal-like, or strangely human—the Bunyip is often feared as a dangerous presence of the water, known for eerie cries in the night and warnings to stay away from unfamiliar waters.  Resources: https://astonishinglegends.com/astonishi...

Lurking in the shadows of northern English folklore, the Barghest is a ghostly black hound said to haunt lonely roads, graveyards, and misty moors. With glowing eyes and a terrifying presence, this spectral beast is often seen as an omen of death or disaster, its eerie howl warning that misfortune may be near.  Resources: https://www.britannica.com/art/Barghest https://www.ronelthemythmaker.com/ba...

From the tombs of ancient Egypt comes Anubis, the jackal-headed guardian of the dead. Revered as a guide to the afterlife, Anubis was believed to protect tombs, oversee mummification, and judge the souls of the deceased as they entered the underworld.  Content warning. This episode contains references to animal cruelty and historical practices involving death and body preservation. We will briefly...

At the crossroads of worlds stands Papa Legba, a powerful gatekeeper in Haitian Vodou who bridges the human realm and the spirits. Often appearing as an old man with a cane, he must be called first in ritual, as only he can open the way to the loa. Wise yet unpredictable, without his blessing, no voice can reach beyond the veil. Content warning. Some of the reference links included in this episode...

Explore Hecate, a powerful goddess from ancient Greek mythology who stands at the crossroads between worlds. Associated with magic, the night, and the unseen, she is often glimpsed at thresholds—where choices are made and shadows linger. Whether guiding or watching, her presence is never without consequence. Once again, some of the reference links included in this episode lead to websites that fea...

Explore La Patasola, a rage filled forest spirit said to appear deep in the wild where the trees grow thick and the light fades. Travelers speak of a beautiful woman who should not be followed—because what waits beyond the path is never what it seems. I did warn you that things would get spooky, and because of that, I need to give a quick content warning: this episode discusses a malevolent creatu...

The Knocker is a small, unseen presence said to dwell deep within abandoned mines. Its faint tapping echoes through the stone—sometimes a warning, sometimes a lure. That depends on you. Resources: https://www.ancient-origins.net/folklore-myths-legends/knock-knock-mysterious-cornwall-knockers-0020981 https://www.appalachianhistory.net/2020/10/tommy-knockers-mine-ghosts.html https://www.americanfolk...

Take an imagination vacation with me to learn about the Brownie, a helpful household spirit from Scottish folklore believed to dwell quietly within the home. Known for completing chores at night, this shy being asks for little in return—but if offended or given gifts of clothing, it may vanish, sometimes taking the home’s good fortune with it. Resources: https://scotlands-stories.com/scottish-brow...

Quick content warning: part of today’s episode discusses animal cruelty. We’ll give you a heads-up before that segment so you can skip it if you’d like. Lurking in the quiet corners of homes and barns, the Lutin is a mischievous spirit from French-Canadian folklore. Small and quick, it delights in subtle chaos—hiding tools, tangling hair, or leaving behind just enough disturbance to be noticed. Th...

In this episode, we’re taking a look at Shrek and comparing the movie version most of us know with "Shrek!" the original children’s book by William Steig. We’ll talk about how the story changed from page to screen and some of the surprising differences between the book and the movie. Resources: Shrek! by William Steig Amazon Link Instagram: folklore.fangirl Thanks for listening — we real...

Don’t be fooled by the silence—Kobolds are rarely far away. These playful German household spirits can help with chores or stir up trouble, leaving behind strange noises, misplaced objects, and just enough mischief to keep you guessing. Resources: https://www.britannica.com/topic/kobold https://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends/nature-and-dangers-legendary-kobold-002121 https://germanyinusa.co...

Explore the Zashiki-warashi, a mischievous child spirit from Japanese folklore believed to live quietly within the home. Said to bring good fortune to the household it inhabits, this playful presence may leave small signs of its activity—footsteps, laughter, or moved objects—but if it ever leaves, the home’s luck is believed to leave with it. This segment discusses historical practices involving i...

1.3 The Lares & Penates Explore the household spirits of ancient Rome—Lares and Penates—who were believed to protect the home, family, and food stores. Honored with daily offerings, these guardians played a quiet but important role in Roman life. Resources: https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/lares-and-penates#:~:text=Another%20group%20of%20deities%...

In this episode, we’re taking a look at Snow White and comparing the version most of us know with the much darker one first published in Grimms' Fairy Tales. We’ll talk about how the story has changed over time and some of the wild differences between the original tale and the modern versions. Resources: https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/grimm053.html Instagram: folklore.fangirl Thanks for listenin...

1.2 Household & Domestic Spirits - The Duppies Travel to the Caribbean as we explore the history of the Jamaican duppies—restless spirits of the dead said to linger among the living. Feared as hauntings yet sometimes summoned for protection, these ghosts reveal a haunting side of Jamaica’s folklore. Resources: https://medium.com/@feliciamlittle/duppies-5d61de51f880 https://www.museumand.org/20...

1.1 The Domovoi Explore the mysterious domovoi, the protective house spirit of Slavic folklore. Believed to dwell behind the stove or within the walls, this unseen guardian was said to bless households that honored tradition — and stir up trouble in those that did not. Resources: Domovoi, House Spirit of Slavic Mythology Domovoy | Household Spirits, Folklore & Mythology | Britannica Domovoy -...