In day 9 of The 12 Days of Frightmass I bring you an Eastern European being known as The Karakoncolos.

The Karakoncolos can be found in legends across Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia and Macedonia. While each country has a varying story its description remains relatively the same, in that, the Karakoncolos is a tall hairy creature described as a cross between a Devil and Bigfoot.

In general the Karakoncolos is a troublesome and evil creature but it is also harmless, appearing during the coldest days of the year.

Different countries describe different stories so here are a few of them:

Turkey

1. On the streets: The Karakoncolos in Turkey is described as lurking in the shadows standing on street corners waiting for a passer-by. When a person walks past it would ask you a riddle. If you were lucky enough for your answer to contain the word ‘black’ you would be free to go on your way. However, if your answer did not it would strike you dead with a single blow.
2. By your house: A Karakoncolos could also hover round your house, particularly your door. Whilst here it would disguise its voice pretending to be someone you know, it could be someone from your family or a good friend, to trick you into coming outside. Once outside you would be placed in a trance where you would be left alone in the elements.

Serbia

1. Take you for a ride: In Serbia it is believed that both ghosts and spirits can wonder the Earth during the 12 days of Christmas. If you were to come across a Karakoncolos during these days they would jump on your back where you would be forced to carry round, retreating only at dawn, leaving you exhausted
2. Sneak into houses: They could also sneak into your house lingering behind doorways of children’s bedrooms waiting for a child to walk through. Once a child did, the Karakoncolos would grab the child by the neck dragging the child away to be eaten.

Bulgaria

There is a name variant here, calling them the Karakondjul. They are said to wonder at night but you could scare one away by avoiding eye contact.

Unknown Country

One final story of the Karakoncolos is that if you invite one into your home it feels compelled to copy you. If you were to set fire to a piece of thread or silk, it will mistake it’s fur for thread and set itself on fire.