Mexico - Camazotz, Chupacabra, Cihuacoatl, Cihuateteo, Civatate, Tlacique, Tlahuelpuchi

Camazotz: Described as a 'man-bat' with a sharp nose, large teeth and claws, the Camazotz is an integral part of Mayan agricultural myth. The descent of the Camazotz into the earth is linked to the planting of maize. Further research needed.

Chupacabra: This creature supposedly resembles a three foot long rat with wings and enormous teeth. Some reports have it that the creature has quills running along its spine instead of having wings. Mostly the reports I have seen tend to show its victims are livestock, but some people have said they believe that they have been attacked also. This creature requires further research. Also see Puerto Rico.

Cihuacoatl: Under research.

Cihuateteo: The Cihuateteo ('right honorable mother') is either a stillborn baby or a mother who died in childbirth which attacks and paralyses babies. It flies and is chalked white on its hands, arms and face. Offer it bread to fill them up so they don't go attacking humans. If you don't have any bread, meteorites will do. They die if they are caught in sunlight - one of the few vampire legends to actually mention sunlight.

Civatate: Under research, possibly the same as Cihuateteo.

Tlacique: Under research, but possibly another name for Tlahuelpuchi.

Tlahuelpuchi: The Tlahuelpuchi could transform itself into several different animal types (usually leaving its legs behind) and attacked infants, and occasionally adults or children. It is most often female, and generally thought to be a witch of some kind.
        Belief in the Tlahuelpuchi (plural: Tlahuelpocmimi) is prominent in at least the Mexican state of Tlaxcala. Most typically, the Tlahuelpuchi is a woman born with a curse. When she enters puberty and has her first menstruation, she craves blood. At night she transforms into an animal such as a cat, a dog, a turkey, a vulture, or a flea. In some versions of the belief, she leaves her legs behind in the form of a cross before she goes out in animal to seek her victims. Her favorite victims are infants but she also attacks adults and cattle. Most typically, a Tlahuelpuchi only requires blood once a month. But according to some versions of the belief, she thirsts for blood four times each month. The Tlahuelpocmimi join together in societies and make a pact to not infringe upon each other's territories while seeking for prey. A Tlahuelpuchi will also not prey upon her family or neighbors in order to remain incognito. It is difficult to detect a Tlahuelpuchi. But one test is to offer an enchilada containing garlic to a woman suspected of being a Tlahuelpuchi.


Africa | Albania | Armenia | Assyria | Australia | Austria | Babylonia | Bengal | Benin | Bohemia | Bosnia-Herzegovina | Brazil | Bulgaria | Burma | Byelorussia | Chile | China | Crete | Croatia | Czech Republic | Denmark | Dominican Republic | Estonia | France | Germany | Ghana | Greece | Guinea | Gypsy folklore | Haiti | Hungary | Iceland | India | Indonesia | Iran | Iraq | Ireland | Israel | Italy | Japan | Lithuania | Macedonia | Madagascar | Malaysia | Mexico | Montenegro | Namibia | Norway | Peru | Philippines | Poland | Polynesia | Portugal | Puerto Rico | Prussia | Romania | Russia | Saudi Arabia | Scotland | Serbia | Siberia | Silesia | Slavic | Slovakia | Slovenia | South America | Spain | Thailand | Tibet | Trinidad | Turkey | Ukrainian | United States of America | West Indies | Yugoslavia