Ghosts
Jumbee: Demons of the Caribbean

The Caribbean is a beautiful place with beautiful people but if you find yourself out after dark watch out for Jumbees!
Jumbees (sometimes spelt Jumbie or Jumby) are demons or evil spirits originating in the Caribbean. The name Jumby is the generic name given to a whole cluster of malevolent entities, some believed to be spirits of the deceased and some believed to be demons.
A Jumbie is much more sinister than a run-of-the-mill ghost. Jumbees are believed to be the spirits of terrible, evil people who were destined to become agents of destruction upon their deaths.
The idea of Jumbees is influenced by the cultural melting pot that is the Caribbean. Jumbees have similarities to mythological creatures from African, Dutch, East Indian, English and even Chinese cultures.
We have gathered a collection of different Jumbees to tell you about but there are thousands more in different cultures around the Caribbean.
Bacoo
The Bacoo is said to reside in Guyana where many stories are told about these cheeky little creature.
The Bacoo is a dwarf-like entity that closely resembles the Irish leprechaun. Bacoos are mischievous and like to create havoc wherever they go. They are known to move items around, pelt houses with stones and any other activities that will illicit an annoyed response from a victim.
Bacoos don’t like the daylight and prefer to get up to their mischief under the cover of darkness.
Bacoos are said to be devious and are able to shapeshift into any form they like or even become invisible.
It is believed that if you provide a this jumbee with a constant source of milk and bananas it will provide you with untold wealth and grant any wishes you have.
One Guyanese legend tells of a rich man that kept his pet Bacoo high up on a shelf and used a ladder to reach him at night to feed him his tribute of milk and bananas.
One day he had to go out of town on a business trip and left his servant to feed the Bacoo. He instructed the servant to leave the milk and bananas at the top of the ladder and not to look at the creature. The owner knew the Bacoo would try to frighten the poor servant if he looked at the creature.
The servant couldn’t contain his curiosity and sneaked a peak at the creature at the top of the ladder. To his horror he was greeted with a giant black snake. He was so frightened he fell off of the ladder and broke his neck.
Choorile
Choorlies are similar to vampires or banshees and come from East Indian culture. This jumbee is said to look like a young human woman except their feet are turned backwards and facing the wrong way. Sometimes other body parts are upside down or out of place.
The most famous Choorlie is said the be the spirit of an evil woman who died during childbirth. Her child survived and she was stricken with grief and being separated from them.
The choorlie scours the land for pregnant women and babies who she cries out at in her grief.
This jumbee is said to have the ability to shapeshift into a beautiful woman in order to lure young men to their deaths. Choorlies often lurk in fields or hover around crossroads.
The Massacooramaan
Massacooramaan is a a large bigfoot-like, hairy man creature that lives in rivers and waterways. This jumbee is said to appear from under the water to destroy boats and eat the people within them. People who work in the interior of Guyana often speak of the Massacooramaan and are afraid of running into one.
This jumby is much larger than a normal man, and has big, sharp teeth. It is not known whether the massacooraman lives underwater or dwells on land but they appear to be fantastic swimmers either way. They have great strength and are able to pull entire boats under the water.
Moongazer
The Moongazer is a jumbie who is only seen during a full moon. He is described as very tall man with startlingly long legs. He is said to be very muscular and will either have a very light or very dark complexion. In some encounters only his shadow is seen by the light of the full moon.
In other stories the Moongazer terrorizes rural villages by standing with one leg on either side of a roadway, staring at the full moon. If anyone tries to pass under the Moongazer he snaps his legs together, cutting them in half.
The Dutchman Jumbee
The Dutchman Jumbee is one of the most violent and evil Jumbees of them all. According to local legends Dutch settlers and visitors to the Caribbean would kill slaves and bury them with their treasures and valuables to act as guardians for the items.
As a punishment for these disgraceful acts when the Dutchmen died their spirits were brought back to the Caribbean where they haunt the landscape.
There are trees dubbed Dutchman trees throughout the Caribbean. It is said that if someone climbs or cuts down one of these trees the Dutchman Jumbee will come and cause the person to fall and break their neck or cause them to have other forms of bad luck.
For many people in Guyana most unfortunate events are attributed to bad luck bestowed upon people by a Dutchman Jumbee.
Ole Higue
Ole Higue is a vampire-like jumbee known to be an old woman who sucks the blood of unsuspecting victims as they sleep. This jumbee is said to prefer children and babies as her victims.
This jumbee blends in with the village around her by disguising herself as an introverted old lady. At night she is said to shed her skin and hide it then head to the home of her unsuspecting victims. She turns herself into a ball of flame in order to enter the home through the keyhole.
If an Ole Higue is discovered within a village the whole community will come together to get rid of her. This can be done by turning the key in the keyhole when she is trying to enter as this will crush her. You can also find her skin while she is away attacking a victim and place hot peppers in it so she is burned when she tries to get back in.
How to prevent a Jumbee Encounter
Leave a pile of rice outside your front door. Jumbees are a bit neurotic and must stop to count the individual grains before the sun rises.
Cross water. Jumbees are not fond of water and may give up chasing you if you cross a river or stream.
If you are being chased by a jumby late at night walk backwards. If you are walking backwards the jumbie is less likely to follow you inside your home.
Leave a rope with many knots in it outside your home. The Jumbee will stop and try to untie all of the knots and be occupied until the sun rises when it must hide again.
Leave a pair of shoes outside the house. Jumbies don’t have feet and will try all night to put the shoes on.
If you enjoyed this article you may also like to learn about some less well known cryptids or the banshee of Ireland.
Further Reading
Tales of the Jumbee. Book by Henry S. Whitehead
(Affliate links. We may earn commission.)
Ghosts
Fleshgait: Predatory Mimic in the Woods

A fleshgait is a creature that imitates the voices and appearances of people in the woods, with the intention of luring them away. People who have seen fleshgaits describe them as tall, thin, grey beings with long claws and no hair.
Description of a Fleshgait
Imagine a mysterious creature lurking in the depths of the woods, capable of mimicking human voices and appearances. Meet the fleshgait—a cunning trickster that entices unsuspecting wanderers. Witnesses who have encountered these eerie beings describe them as towering, slender figures, draped in a shroud of grey, with razor-sharp claws and an absence of hair.
Picture this: as you venture into the wilderness, unaware of the lurking danger, the fleshgait slinks in the shadows, perfecting its masquerade. With a supernatural ability to mimic the voices of both people and animals, it skillfully mimics the ones you hold dear, beckoning you deeper into its treacherous domain.
It is widely believed that fleshgaits are dangerous towards humans and often lure them deeper into the woods in order to harm or eat them. Some people also think that fleshgaits are connected to the Missing 411 disappearances, but there is no evidence to support this claim.
The powers of fleshgaits are not fully understood because nobody has witnessed their full capabilities. Based on reports, here are the commonly agreed-upon traits:
Voice Mimicking: Fleshgaits can imitate the voices of both humans and animals. They can only mimic voices and phrases they have heard before. Their calls can be captivating and difficult to resist, even when people know the voice is not from the person they are concerned about.
Super Speed: Fleshgaits are known for their unnaturally fast movement, often disappearing quickly into the woods.
Excessive Strength: Animals found torn apart in areas where fleshgaits are sighted suggest that these creatures possess tremendous strength.
While some reports suggest that fleshgaits can change their shape, not all reports mention this ability. Reports of shape-shifting fleshgaits occur frequently enough for many people to believe in their shape-shifting abilities.
Fleshgait Sightings
The Lore Lodge covers the the legend of the Fleshgait
Angeles National Forest, California – Alex Reynolds, Sarah Mitchell, and David Thompson, had a heart-stopping encounter with a fleshgait almost ten years ago. Despite the scary moment, these brave explorers managed to come out of it without any harm.
On a sunny afternoon, specifically on July 21st, 2013, the trio set off on an exciting adventure deep into the breathtaking Angeles National Forest. Towering trees and stunning views provided the backdrop for an experience they would never forget.
As they went further into the wilderness, a strange feeling of unease settled over them. It felt like the forest was holding its breath, and they sensed something they couldn’t see. Curiosity pushed them forward, unaware of the terrifying encounter they were about to face.
In the heart of the forest, they heard a voice calling their names from all directions. Confused, they looked at each other, trying to figure out where the calls were coming from.
With fear gripping them, the hikers cautiously followed the enchanting yet unsettling voices. Suddenly, in a sunny spot, they saw the fleshgait appear. It was tall and slender, with eerie eyes that seemed to shine from another world. Its appearance matched what others had described—a tall and thin creature with pale skin that stood out against the green forest.
Surprisingly, the fleshgait showed no signs of wanting to harm them. Instead, it seemed curious and watched them with an enigmatic gaze. The hikers watched in both awe and fear, their hearts racing with a mix of emotions.
After a few intense moments, the creature vanished into the forest, disappearing quickly as if it were never there. The hikers were left bewildered but relieved that nothing bad had happened. They hurried back to civilization, eager to share their extraordinary story.
How to Know A Fleshgait is Near
Here are some signs that suggest that a Fleshgait may be nearby:
You hear someone calling your name, but it’s not the person you know. For example, a woman heard her “mother” calling for help in the woods, even though she knew her real mother was far away. Despite the strange voice, she felt a strong urge to follow it. Later, she heard chattering noises and realized something was wrong. She barely escaped.
Your group feels like it has more people than before. People often sense an “extra person” around them before a fleshgait attack.
You see claws wrapped around a tree or a very thin figure that doesn’t look human. Many people witness them with their hands wrapped around trees or standing nearby. Some even describe them as resembling the character Gollum from Lord of the Rings.
There are reports of animals being killed in unusual ways or strange disappearances happening nearby. This makes sense because fleshgaits are predators.
The forest suddenly becomes quiet and eerily still. This often means there’s a predator nearby and creates a feeling of panic in the woods.
Your “friend” starts acting strangely and doesn’t sound like themselves.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s a good idea to trust your instincts and make a quick exit from the area.
How to Avoid a Fleshgait Attack
Fleshgaits are believed to be attracted to bright colors so it may be wise to wear more dull colors when adventuring in the woods.
Have you ever seen a Fleshgait? Tell us about it in the comments.
If you enjoyed learning about the Fleshgait you might be interested in similar creatures such as El Silbon or La Siguanaba.
Ghosts
Bélmez Faces

One of the Belmez Faces.
In 1971, strange stains in the shape of human faces started appearing on the kitchen floor of a house in Bélmez de La Moraleda, a little village in Andalusia, Spain.
The Story of the Bélmez Faces
Another Belmez Face
Back in August 1971, María Gómez Cámara noticed a weird stain forming on her kitchen floor. It soon transformed into a creepy face, and to her surprise, the stain seemed to move around.
María tried to remove it, but nothing worked. Her husband and son even tried destroying it with a pick-axe and re-cementing the floor, but it came back a week later, along with more faces.
News of the “house of faces” spread quickly, attracting many curious visitors who wanted to witness this mysterious phenomenon for themselves. Parapsychology experts arrived and considered it a great mystery. They even claimed to have recorded strange voices in the house.
A local urban legend began to spread claiming that skeletons were found buried under the floor during an investigation.
Eventually, a new floor was made, and people thought the faces were gone for good. However, just two weeks later, a different face started appearing, surprising everyone once again.
By Easter of 1972, a large number of people were visiting the house to witness the faces. The Pereira family continued to claim that new faces kept appearing for the next 30 years. These faces were of both men and women, and they varied in shapes, sizes, and expressions.
Investigations into the Belmez Faces
The main researchers involved in the Bélmez case were Hans Bender and Germán de Argumosa. They worked together in Bélmez and Freiburg in the early 1970s when the alleged phenomena began. Surprisingly, neither Bender nor de Argumosa published an official report on their findings.
Bender only mentioned the case briefly in his journal, Zeitschrift für Parapsychologie. He did make some references to the case in his lectures, particularly mentioning the sealing of certain areas of the floor where faces were forming, using transparent plastic material. He stated that slight changes in the faces’ appearance during this sealed period, as documented by a notary, supported their paranormal origin.
In 2014, a TV show called Cuarto Milenio, hosted by Iker Jiménez, conducted a technical analysis to investigate the possibility of a hoax related to the Bélmez faces. The research was carried out by José Javier Gracenea, a chemical engineering doctor and general manager of Medco, along with Luis Alamancos, a forensic criminalist who served as the chairman of Gabinete Pericial Inpeval and director of the Spanish Institute of Applied Criminalistics. Alamancos was later honored with the European Police Cross of Honor.
With the permission of the house owner, Gracenea collected samples from the faces and analyzed them. His conclusion was that the images “were not created with paint” and that there was no evidence of external manipulation or added elements based on scientific knowledge and analysis techniques.
Alamancos attempted to replicate similar images using various methods that had been considered valid in previous investigations, including concrete solvents, hydrochloric acid, and silver nitrate. However, he failed to reproduce the faces and concluded that he was utterly perplexed by the phenomenon.
Skepticism about the Belmez Faces
Super Horror Bro covers the Belmez Faces
According to skeptical investigator Joe Nickell, the Bélmez Faces were intentionally fabricated, and he believes that the faces had a very unprofessional and amateurish appearance in their design.
Similarly, Brian Dunning from Skeptoid has written that investigations revealed the faces were actually painted onto the concrete floor, initially using paint and later with acid. Dunning also suggests that the woman residing in the house was involved in perpetrating a hoax on the public, potentially for financial gain.
In a journal article published in July 1993, Luis Ruiz-Noguez discussed the presence of three pigments commonly used in paint manufacturing: zinc, lead, and chromium. Based on this, Ruiz-Noguez suggested that the use of paint should be considered when it comes to the Bélmez faces, particularly with the suspicion of lead being involved. Here are the reasons he provided:
Lead was commonly used as a pigment for primary colors for a long time.
The analysis showed that the amount of chromium present was too low to be a likely option.
Lead tends to create dark and hard-to-see colorations, unlike chromium.
The most common and inexpensive primary colors are enamels that contain lead, which are widely used in homes because they are easy to apply.
However, Ruiz-Noguez also mentioned some objections to the hypothesis of paint being used based on the ICV (inorganic chemical values) samples. These objections include the fact that alkydalic-type enamels are not resistant to abrasion, paint leaves a visible film that is easily distinguishable from the surface it is applied on, and alkydalic enamels have low chemical tolerance to acids, alkalis, and detergents.
What do you think caused the faces to appear in Belmez? Let us know in the comments.
If you enjoyed learning about the Belmez Faces you might also be interested in other ghostly faces such as the SS Watertown Ghost Faces or faces appearing in an airplane oven on Flight 401.
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