Sasabonsam

The Sasabonsam, also known as Asanbosam, is a vampire-like figure rooted in the folklore of the Akan people. Its legend originates in southern Ghana but also appears in the cultural traditions of Côte d'Ivoire, Togo, and 18th-century Jamaica, where enslaved Akan people carried the myth across the Atlantic.

This creature is described as having iron teeth, pale pink skin, long red hair, and iron hooks in place of feet. It is said to dwell high in the forest canopy, launching surprise attacks from the trees. In the dense forests of West Africa, where spiritual and ecological laws were believed to govern natural balance, the Sasabonsam served as an enforcer of these unseen rules. It is fiercely territorial, feeding on those who unknowingly stray into its domain.

Although humanoid in shape, the Sasabonsam bears distinct bat-like features, including wings that can span nearly 20 feet. Its form embodies the qualities of both a monstrous ogre and a vampiric predator. A notable representation of the creature can be found in The British Museum, which holds a carved wooden Sasabonsam figure believed to have been made around 1935.

In traditional mythology, it is often portrayed as an archetypal ogre. One account describes it as a hairy being with large, bloodshot eyes, extraordinarily long legs, and feet that point in opposite directions. It is said to perch on high branches, letting its legs hang low to entangle unsuspecting hunters below.

Whether depicted as a vampire or an ogre, the Sasabonsam is always marked by its menacing iron teeth and its role as a dangerous forest guardian.