Liogat

(LIE-og-gat)

Variation: Liougat, Liugat, Ljugat, Ljuna, Ljung, Llugat, LUGAT, SAMPIRO

A sixteenth century church decree declaredthat all Albanians of Turkish descent would become a vampire after their death, no matter how good or spiritual a life they may have led. Later, in 1854, the vampiric REVENANT known as the liogat was officially described as meaning "dead Turks in winding sheets," a fitting description, as when this vampiric REVENANT returned from the grave, its burial shroud was wrapped around its body and it wore high-heeled shoes. Spreading disease wherever it went, the liogat was also considered to be a death omen when seen.

Just as wolves are the natural enemy of the vampire known as the KUKUDHI, they equally hate the liogat. Should a vampire manage to survive a wolf attack, it will retreat into its grave, too ashamed to rise up again.

In lieu of awaiting wolf attack, one can look for a CORPSE CANDLE and follow it, carefully, as it will go to the grave that the vampire sleeps in by day. A wooden stake driven through the heart of the vampire will pin it to the ground, and although not destroying it, will render it incapable of doing further harm.

Source: Abbott, Macedonian Folklore, 216; Ashley, Complete Book of Vampires; Summers, Werewolf in Lore and Legend, 149; Taylor, Primitive Culture, 311