All around the world, the vampire goes by different names. Each culture in history has
their own distinct name and meaning of vampire. Here are just a few.
Africa - Asasabonsam, Obayifo
Australia - Yara-ma-yha-who
Belgium - Vapir or Ubour
Bosnia - Lampir
Bulgaria - Obur
Canada - "Old Hags"
China - Chiang-shih
Czech Republic and Slovakia - Upir
France - Melusine, Lamiai
Germany - Nachtzehrer
Greece and Romania - Lamia or Strigoi
Greece - Vrykolakas
Hungary - Lidérc
India - Vetalas, Kali, Rakshasa (destroyers)
India - Hantu Saburo : Hantu dodong : Hantu Parl (Three related beings)
(Hantu Saburo is a being who commands dogs and uses them to hunt humans. When the animals
catch the prey, the vampire feeds. Hantu dodong (India) which resides in caves and lives
off the blood of animals. Hantu Parl looks for wounded individuals and drinks of their
blood when they are helpless to stop it.)
Italy - Vampiri
Japan - Kappa
Malaysia - Langsuir and Penanggalan
Myanmar -Thaye, Tasei
Mexico - Cihuateteo, Tlahuelpuchi
Mesopotamia and Modern Iraq - Ekimmu
Mesopotamia - Uruku or Utukku
Philippines - Aswang
Poland - Upior
Russia - Upyr or Uppyr
South America - Asema
Transylvania - Nosferatu
Other origins of vampires are from gods who looked like vampires: the Nepalese Lord of
Death, the Tibetan Devil, the Mongolian God of Time.
Vampire sightings happened mostly in Western Europe: Greece, Albania, Bulgaria,
Yugoslavia, Hungary, Soviet Union, Romania, and thereabouts.
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