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Folklore from West Africa, specifically the areas of Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and Benin, that originate from the Ewe, Akan, Ashanti and Dahomey people. The story on this episode tells of the Adze, a creature with the ability to travel as a firefly to sneak into houses and drink the blood of children. Aside from the Adze, two other African vampires are also covered; the Asanbosam, and the Obayifo, otherwise known as the Asiman. Contact at fiveminutefolklore@gmail.com www.fiveminutefolklore.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Folklore from Eastern Europe, specifically Romania and Croatia. The first of two episodes dedicated to vampire folklores. This episode looks at Strigoi, the inspiration for the most famous vampire of all; 'Dracula', from the novel by Bram Stoker. There is a retelling of the opening chapters of 'Dracula' on this episode, as well as the real-life Croatian story of 'Jure Grando'; the first man in historical record to be described as a vampire. Contact at fiveminutefolklore@gmail.com www.fiveminutefolklore.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Folklore from Brazil. The Protector of the Amazon Forest; Curupira, and Transforming Party-loving Dolphins from the Amazon River; Boto Encantos. Contact at fiveminutefolklore@gmail.com www.fiveminutefolklore.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Folklore from Greenland. The Goddess of the Sea; Sedna, and the exiled wandering spirit; Qivittoq. Contact at fiveminutefolklore@gmail.com www.fiveminutefolklore.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The episode is all about the snake spirit river God; NyamiNyami, who lives within the waters of the Zambezi river, that runs between the African countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe. The story on this one is a retelling of actual events that occurred around the construction of the Kariba Dam in the 1950s. Contact at fiveminutefolklore@gmail.com www.fiveminutefolklore.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This festive episode of Five Minute Folklore takes a look at La Befana - the Christmas witch of Italy, who visits children to delivery gifts of the eve of Epiphany. There are many similarities between her and the more modern Santa Claus, although she is much more closely tied to the traditional Christian Christmas story. Contact at fiveminutefolklore@gmail.com www.fiveminutefolklore.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode features two stories; both longer than usual, from two different African countries - Sudan and Libya. The Sudanese story of Fatma Al Samha, or Fatma The Beautiful if one of the most well known folklores in the ahaji style, and the story of Fatoom is a very strange Libyan tale that I have barely any information on. Contact at fiveminutefolklore@gmail.com www.fiveminutefolklore.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Slavic folklore originating in Serbia, but told over many European countries, Vila are nature spirits that are also fearsome warriors, and mesmerising dancers. Otherwise known as Wilis, they are also the inspiration for the ballet Giselle, and the Veela from the Harry Potter series. Contact at fiveminutefolklore@gmail.com www.fiveminutefolklore.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode covers two different folklores from Argentina - The Legend of the Cactus; Pasancana, and The Devil's fearsome debt collector; El Familiar. Contact at fiveminutefolklore@gmail.com www.fiveminutefolklore.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Celtic folklore. On this Halloween episode, I decided to look at the most famous ghost of them all - The Banshee, an omen of death which originates in Irish folklore. This episode looks at the possible origins of the myth, similar figures from other folklores, and tells a few stories, one about a young girl named Alice, and the other about a young girl named Maeveen. Contact at fiveminutefolklore@gmail.com www.fiveminutefolklore.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Folklore from South Africa. Mistakenly created at the dawn of time by the Gods, the Grootslang is a cryptid that now lurks the rivers and caves of South Africa, eating elephants, and hoarding diamonds. Contact at fiveminutefolklore@gmail.com www.fiveminutefolklore.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Folklore from Estonia - The legend of Suur Tõll, otherwise known as Toell the Great, or Tyll the Giant, who defends his island of Saaremaa, alongside his wife Piret, against the attacking hordes, the evil Warlord, and his rival, Vanatuhi, The Old Vile One. Contact at fiveminutefolklore@gmail.com www.fiveminutefolklore.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode looks at the legendary trickster from the folklore of Kazakhstan - Aldar Kose. He is a hero of the lower classes who always comes out on top, by outwitting the wealthy. Contact at fiveminutefolklore@gmail.com www.fiveminutefolklore.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is all about the guitar-playing, hair-braiding, sombrero-wearing, El Sombrerón, from Guatemalan folklore. His music can mesmerise young girls, as he attempts to woo them, and possibly steal their souls... Contact at fiveminutefolklore@gmail.com www.fiveminutefolklore.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Maori folklore from New Zealand on this episode - we take a look at the Taniwha, the protective, or dangerous, water-dragons. This episode explores Maori beliefs and superstitions, taniwhas role as a monster or protector, and it’s similarities to other myths, monsters, and even dinosaurs. Contact at fiveminutefolklore@gmail.com www.fiveminutefolklore.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode looks at Eloko - the grass-covered trolls which dwell within the rainforests of the Congo. A five-minute story, followed by a closer look at the Eloko, variations on the legends, and what the creature possibly represents. Contact at fiveminutefolklore@gmail.com www.fiveminutefolklore.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode explores the heroic Iranian folklore character of Arash The Archer. He is a symbol of sacrifice and bravery in Persian culture, and his story has been told for many, many years. We look at the many variations of his tale, his importance to Iran, and who he is in relation to other Persian folklore figures. Contact at fiveminutefolklore@gmail.com www.fiveminutefolklore.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Folklore from the Philippines. The Tikbalang is half-man, half-horse, and dwells within the forests to trick travellers into losing their way. This episode looks at the many variations of Tikbalang beliefs, possible sightings, and origins possibly coming with the Spanish conquistadors, or through Hindu imagery. Contact at fiveminutefolklore@gmail.com www.fiveminutefolklore.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mexican folklore. La Llorona, or The Weeping Woman, has been told in many variations across generations. There are a few versions of the tale on this episode as well as a look at similarities to Greek and Aztec folklores, and how the stories have endured until this day. Is La Llorona merely a ghost story to scare children, or something more...? Contact at fiveminutefolklore@gmail.com www.fiveminutefolklore.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.