The Shtriga, in Albanian folklore, was a vampiric witch that would suck the blood of infants at night while they slept, and would then turn into a flying insect (traditionally a moth, fly or bee). Only the shtriga herself could cure those she had drained (often by spitting in their mouths), and those who were not cured inevitably sickened and died.

Edith Durham, 1863-1944, was a British traveller, artist and writer who became famous for her anthropologist accounts of life in Albania in the early 20th century. She recorded several methods traditionally considered effective for defending oneself from shtriga. A cross made of pig bone could be placed at the entrance of a church on Easter Sunday, rendering any shtriga inside unable to leave. They could then be captured and killed at the threshold as they vainly attempted to pass. She further recorded the story that after draining blood from a victim, the shtriga would generally go off into the woods and regurgitate it. If a silver coin were to be soaked in that blood and wrapped in cloth, it would become an amulet offering permanent protection from any shtriga.

The shtriga will refuse to eat anything spiced or containing garlic.

Posted by Vladimir Sat, 12/22/2007 - 01:24

 

Chapter 35: introduction/interrogation

removed as per the request of the Author

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When the truth hurts

How do you see me?
You used to call me friend.
But I told you what I am,
And now you call me a freak.

How do you feel about me?
You used to say you loved me.
But now you know the real me,
You look at me with disgust.

Why do you shun me?
We used to be inseparable.
But since I told you how it is,
You avoid me all the time.

Why do you fear me?
You used to say I made you safe.
But now you know the needs I have,
I see in you only mistrust.

Why forsake me now?

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Poet in motion

These knees have been scarred by the faith
Flowing through the veins of a fragile man
Fingers purple, interlaced and woven
Head bowed and broken by repentance
Wounds healed with grace and love
Ripped open again by ignorant sin
Wishing only brings about another torment
Luck exists only through logic
Enlightenment comes through the touch of a hand
Believe, ask, know it shall be
One breath brings in chaos
Another allows this silent peace

Proximo
June 4, 2001

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Vampires in Modern Culture

Vampires in our culture? Yeah, sure, there's a lot of vampire stuff out at Halloween. But most people see vampires nearly everyday, the other 364 days a year, and don't even know it. To begin to study vampires in pop culture, we must first identify all the places they pop up.

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Lore of the Vampire

The vampire has held its place in superstition as long as any other creature. The vampire of today is, for the most part, quite different from the one of ancient times. In researching the vampire lore, I attempted to find out just how different they are. I wondered what people thought of them now compared to yesteryear.

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