Lougawou: A Haitian Vodou Werewolf
The term “lougawou” is derived from the French term “werewolf”, signifying werewolf. But in Haiti, this creature is not only a man who turns into a wolf under the full moon.
A lougawou would be a person – often a woman – who can turn into animals like cats, snakes or birds at night. This transformation is generally linked to magic rites or vodou rituals.
According to legend, Lougawou browse the earth with bright red eyes, often hoping to find children or vulnerable people to take blood. The creature eliminates its human skin, hides it in the house and takes an animal form.
Some say that Lougawou is possessed by spirits or has concluded an agreement with a deity at the crossroads, while other Haitian traditions argues that Lougawou is created by dark witchcraft or curses by people, and not by literal possession.
