Creepy Folklore from Different Cultures

We’ve all heard of the tales of Little Red Riding Hood and Rumpelstiltskin, but what effect does culture have on these popular folktales? Read on to learn more about erie folklores, and why they appeal to so many.

Folklore

What stories are considered folklore? Folklore is an umbrella term which includes myths and stories encompassing cultural traditions from a group. The world language teachers here at New Hartford Senior High School share some of their opinions as they dive deep into creepy folklore stories from different cultures.

Chinese Folklore

Mrs. Chang, a Mandarin teacher here at New Hartford Senior High School, shares a well-known story called Flying to the Moon, a tale related to the Mid-Autumn Festival, during September or October. She explains that the story reveals “why people worship the moon, cherish family reunions, and enjoy mooncakes during the full moon of the ninth lunar month.”

One favorite folktale of Mrs. Chang is the Nian Story, related to the Chinese New Year. It explains why the New Year is called “Guo Nian” and offers insight on many customs such as wearing red, exchanging red envelopes and adorning the home with red ornaments, explains Mrs. Chang.

This story originated thousands of years ago, a legend of a monster that wreaked havoc on villagers every new year, and was chased away with loud noises. In return, the year would bring prosperity and luck.

Mrs. Chang believes culture definitely affects folktales, and how they are created and passed down.

“Stories often reflect a civilization’s values, customs, and way of life, ensuring that traditions remain alive across generations. These tales are not just entertainment- they’re a bridge to understanding the essence of a society,” Mrs. Chang said.

French Folklore

Mrs. Arbogast, a French teacher at New Hartford Senior High School, shares some “les contes de fées”(fairy tales), such as the famous collection – Fables de La Fountain, other creepy tales, and introduces a well-known French author, Charles Perrault, from the 17th century.

Jean de La Fountain’s Fables are a popular collection of stories that includes animals and Greek mythology. They  follow a storyline of everyday moral circumstances, and expose the downfall in people’s vanity.

Common stories such as The Fox and the Crow, and The Ant and the Grasshopper are famous for their moral lessons and witty writing.

Mrs. Arbogast revealed other versions of popular titles such as: Little Red Riding Hood, Mother Goose Tales, Puss in Boots, and The Sleeping Beauty in the Woods.

In her class, students read the original Beauty and the Beast, and a variety of Jean de La Fountain’s Fables. Many of these tales were made popular in the United States through Walt Disney, shares Mrs. Arbogast. 

Although she doesn’t teach this in her classes here, Mrs. Arbogast said there is a disturbing French story, called Croque-Mitaines, which translates to “mitten-biter” –  also known as the “bogeyman.” Croque-Mitaines hide in bodies of water and during the winter devour the noses and fingers of misbehaving little children. This figure appears in popular tales all over France with many different names.

Many folktales from different cultures incorporate the places such as bodies of water, and forests where people can be harmed to serve as a warning to children. By using fear to expose a part of reality, these creepy stories are particularly effective as they can leave an impression on young kids.

Spanish Folklore

Much like Croque-Mitaines, Spanish culture has a similar creature from a folklore called La Llorona, translating to “The Weeping Woman.” 

Profe Homa, a Spanish teacher here at New Hartford Senior High School, presents interesting stories from her class and Spanish culture from Latin America.

La Llorona has many variations: it is a legend of a woman who drowns her children (intentionally or not).She  is cursed by the universe, and is doomed to roam waterways forever – unable to receive peace, and crying for her lost children. As a result, she becomes vengeful and enacted terror upon children, drowning or kidnapping children she finds, explained Profe Homa.

This story predates Hispanic origins, and is associated with the Day of the Dead. The tale’s purpose is to potentially prevent kids from venturing near waterways. The story La Llorona has also gained traction from many new shows, especially from being featured in horror films, shared Profe Homa.

The Day of the Dead is a celebration which takes place in Latin American communities, where people dress as La Llorona, singing folk songs, and honoring ancestors.

Profe Homa introduces some folklore of monsters such as the story of El Cuco, similar to the bogeyman, in her classes. He’s a shadowy monster who terrorizes and eats young children.  

A more recent and well-taught tale in Spanish classes, being The Chupacabra, around the 1980s, a creature that sucks on the blood of livestock boomed on the news. The myth stemmed from farmers in Latin America finding puncture wounds on dead farm animals, and rumors about a new creature spread like wildfire. Now, there are multiple differing illustrations on what the Chupacabra looks like.

Aztec Legend

The Legend of Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl originates from Aztec mythology. A warrior (Popo) and princess (Izta) fall in love. After a tragic lie, Izta dies of grief, and Popo dies beside her. The gods, feeling sympathetic, turn them into volcanoes, explained Profe Homa.

These volcanoes can be seen in Mexico, Popocatépetl is still an active volcano today. The real world and religion also play a role in forming these fascinating stories. With 92 percent of the Latin American population practicing Christianity, parts of their traditions can seep into the folklores.

Folklore ties closely to the cultural belief that death is not final, said Profe Homa. 

Stories live through music, film, festivals, and oral retellings. Nearly every culture has a “boogeyman,” a story of lost love, and a creature of mystery.

Why are Creepy Stories Interesting?

Creepy stories may contain violence and disturbing details, but why do so many people find them interesting? According to Johns Hopkins, humans enjoy stimulating experiences both mentally and physically. People tend to feel the most positive emotions when feeling the most negative ones. At the same time, horror is an experience that brings people out of their reality.

Folklore connects people to generations; they provide a peek into the past and offer wisdom from the past.