Loogaroo

(LOU-ga-roo)

Variations: Ligaroo, Loup-Garou

Throughout the Caribbean, Central Africa, Haiti, and the West Indies, there is a female VAMPIRIC WITCH that gained her magical abilities by having sold her soul to the devil (see AFRICAN VAMPIRIC WITCH). Known as a loogaroo, by day, she disguises herself to look like a feeble old woman so as not to draw attention to herself. At night, she removes her skin, hangs it on a cotton plant, and shape-shifts into a CORPSE CANDLE. There is no obstacle that can prevent her from entering into a home, and once inside, she will drain blood from her victim. Some of it she will consume, but some of it must be offered up to the devil that she made her pact with or she will lose her magical ability (see LIVING VAMPIRE).

As is the case with many of the vampires who can remove their skin (such as the ASEMA), if the loogaroo's hide is found, rubbing it with SALT will cause it to shrink. Although the witch will not die when exposed to direct sunlight, as is the case with the JUMBIES of the Caribbean Islands, it will leave the loogaroo exposed for what she is. Oddly enough, scattering rice or sand on the ground will compel the loogaroo to stop what-ever she is doing in order to count the grains. Should she still be counting when the sun rises, she will be destroyed.

This vampire is oftentimes confused with a French creature called a loups garou. Although the word is pronounced the same way (no doubt due to the French influence in the area), it is not a vampire at all, but rather a werewolf.

Source: Bell, Obeah, 165­71; Muller, Among Caribbean Devils and Duppies, 449; Summers, Vampire: His Kith and Kin, 234; Welland, Sand, 66 ­68