All entries
2,161 entries so far, best known first. 3,219 more are on the list to be written. Narrow by region, kind, purpose, practitioner, belief world, occasion or how alive it is.
RegionSouth AsiaSoutheast AsiaEast AsiaCentral Asia and the CaucasusMiddle EastNorth AfricaSub-Saharan AfricaEuropeNorth AmericaLatin America and the CaribbeanOceania
PurposeProtectionHealingSeeing and foretellingLuck and prosperityLove and attractionCursing and harmCleansing and purificationSpeaking with spirits and the deadChange and initiationBinding and oathsPower and authorityWonder and entertainment
WhoShamansFolk healersPriests and ritual specialistsWitches, sorcerers and cunning folkDiviners and readersMediums and the possessedCeremonial magicians and alchemistsHouseholds and ordinary peopleStage magiciansScholars and sceptics
BeliefHindu and TantricBuddhistJainMuslim and SufiJewishChristianSikhZoroastrianShinto and TaoistIndigenous and shamanicAfrican and Afro-diasporicPagan and NeopaganEsoteric and occultFolk and village customSecular and stageOther traditions
馃嚡馃嚥 Jamaica and 1 moreNine-Night
A nine-day Caribbean wake rooted in Akan tradition to celebrate the deceased and guide their spirit home.Rite 路 Speaking with spirits and the dead Living
馃嚡馃嚥 Jamaica and 1 moreKromanti dance
A sacred Jamaican Maroon ceremony rooted in Asante traditions and ancestral possessionRite 路 Healing 路 Protection Living
馃嚟馃嚬 Haiti and 1 morePetwo
A family of hot and volatile spirits in Haitian VodouBeing 路 Power and authority 路 Cursing and harm Living
馃嚬馃嚬 Trinidad and Tobago and 1 moreTrinidadian Vodunu
A West African Vodun tradition practiced in Trinidad and Tobago with Catholic elementsTradition 路 Speaking with spirits and the dead 路 Power and authority Living
馃嚚馃嚤 Chile and 1 moreImbuncheif眉nche
A deformed child-monster of Chilote folklore that guards a warlock's cave and serves as an instrument of curse.Figure 路 Cursing and harm 路 Power and authority Legendary
馃嚨馃嚘 PanamaPanama Creature
A decomposing sloth carcass mistaken for a monster in PanamaBeing Historical
馃嚚馃嚤 ChileWarlock of Chilo茅brujo chilote
A legendary network of sorcerers from the Chilean archipelago and their mythical powers.Belief 路 Cursing and harm 路 Power and authority Legendary
馃嚟馃嚬 HaitiRada lwa
A family of cool-tempered spirits in Haitian VodouBeing 路 Speaking with spirits and the dead Living
馃嚨馃嚜 PeruChakapa
A leaf rattle used by Amazonian healers in ayahuasca ceremonies and spirit cleansing rituals.Rite 路 Healing 路 Speaking with spirits and the dead Living
馃嚬馃嚬 Trinidad and Tobago and 2 moreMama D'Leau
A river spirit of the Caribbean islands who protects aquatic life and heals people.Being 路 Healing 路 Protection Legendary
馃嚚馃嚧 Colombia and 1 moreLa Bolefuego
A fiery apparition from the Llanos that hunts travelers and avoids prayer.Figure 路 Cursing and harm Legendary
馃嚥馃嚱 MexicoMazatec shamanism
A Mazatec healing tradition centered on visionary plant ceremonies called veladasTradition 路 Healing 路 Speaking with spirits and the dead Living
馃嚟馃嚬 HaitiF猫y
A Haitian Vodou folk song used as a political anthem during military ruleTradition 路 Power and authority Living
馃嚙馃嚳 BelizeTata DuendeNukuch Tat
A thumbless forest spirit of Belizean folklore that protects animals and warns children.Being 路 Protection 路 Cursing and harm Living
馃嚛馃嚧 Dominican Republic and 5 moreZemi
A Ta铆no deity or ancestral spirit housed in a carved object used for worship and protectionBeing 路 Protection 路 Healing Historical
馃嚥馃嚱 MexicoTeotlaqualli
A hallucinogenic paste used by Aztec priests and healers in the pre-Columbian era.Substance 路 Speaking with spirits and the dead 路 Healing Historical
馃嚟馃嚬 HaitiBoum'ba Maza
A family of water spirits in Haitian Vodou ritesBeing 路 Luck and prosperity 路 Healing Living
馃嚙馃嚙 Barbados and 2 moreObeah and Wanga
A Caribbean folk magic tradition and a Haitian charm packet, referenced in Western occult texts.Tradition 路 Power and authority 路 Cursing and harm Living
馃嚚馃嚤 ChilePincoya
A Chilotan sea spirit whose dance predicts the catch of fish and seafood.Being 路 Luck and prosperity 路 Power and authority Legendary
馃嚥馃嚱 MexicoEntheogenics and the Maya
Hallucinogenic substances used by the Maya for spiritual rituals and healingTradition 路 Speaking with spirits and the dead 路 Healing Historical
馃嚮馃嚜 VenezuelaDjucu
A warm sea nut used as a lucky charm in the CaribbeanCharm 路 Luck and prosperity Living
馃嚫馃嚮 El SalvadorChasca
A spirit of the water in Salvadoran folklore who blesses respectful fishermenFigure 路 Protection 路 Luck and prosperity Living
馃嚙馃嚪 BrazilLobisomem
A South American shape-shifter born from family fate or sin, often linked to the full moon.Being 路 Cursing and harm Legendary
馃嚞馃嚬 Guatemala and 1 moreEl Sombrer贸n
A tall, hat-wearing figure from Guatemalan legend who courts young women and haunts neighborhoods at dusk.Figure 路 Love and attraction 路 Cursing and harm Legendary
馃嚚馃嚤 Chile and 3 moreGualichu
An evil spirit feared in Mapuche and Tehuelche traditions, and a word for bad luckBeing 路 Cursing and harm Historical
馃嚚馃嚤 Chile and 1 moreKalku
A Mapuche sorcerer who works with negative powers and malevolent spiritsBeing 路 Cursing and harm Legendary
馃嚚馃嚤 Chile and 1 moreGiant
Mythic humanoids of immense size and strength found in global folklore and ancient textsFigure 路 Wonder and entertainment Legendary
馃嚫馃嚮 El Salvador and 2 moreCipit铆o
A perpetual child spirit of Mesoamerica known for mischief and reversed feetFigure 路 Cursing and harm 路 Luck and prosperity Legendary
馃嚥馃嚱 MexicoMercado de Sonora
A Mexico City market known for herbal medicine and occult goodsTradition 路 Protection 路 Love and attraction Living
馃嚛馃嚧 Dominican RepublicAnaisa Pye
A Dominican loa of love and wealth, linked to Saint Anne.Being 路 Love and attraction 路 Luck and prosperity Living
馃嚞馃嚲 Guyana and 1 moreBaccoo
A half-wood spirit from Guyanese and Surinamese folklore that serves as a mercenary or a haunting presence.Being 路 Cursing and harm 路 Speaking with spirits and the dead Legendary
馃嚚馃嚧 ColombiaMohan
A forest spirit and ancestor soul in Colombian Indigenous folkloreBeing 路 Cursing and harm 路 Speaking with spirits and the dead Legendary
馃嚟馃嚬 HaitiMarassa Jumeaux
The divine twins of Haitian Vodou, representing love, truth, and justice.Being 路 Love and attraction 路 Cursing and harm Living
馃嚙馃嚪 BrazilRom茫ozinho
A cursed immortal boy from Brazilian folklore who never grows and causes mischief.Figure 路 Cursing and harm 路 Wonder and entertainment Legendary
馃嚡馃嚥 Jamaica and 4 moreJumbee
A shadowy spirit of the dead in Caribbean folklore, often linked to evil deeds.Belief 路 Cursing and harm Living
馃嚚馃嚤 ChileCamahueto
A one-horned river bull from Chilote folklore that drags people to the seaBeing 路 Cursing and harm Legendary
馃嚙馃嚪 BrazilBestial beastBesta-fera
A centaur-like creature in Brazilian folklore thought to be the Devil.Being 路 Cursing and harm Legendary
馃嚙馃嚪 BrazilCapelobo
A Brazilian monster with a long snout that feeds on blood and brainsBeing 路 Cursing and harm Legendary
馃嚘馃嚪 ArgentinaLegendary creatures of the Argentine Northwest region
Myths and spirits from the Andean highlands of ArgentinaBeing 路 Protection 路 Cursing and harm Historical
馃嚦馃嚠 Nicaragua and 3 moreHeadless priestel cura sin cabeza / paring pugot
A headless Catholic spirit that haunts Central America and the Philippines as a warning against sacrilege.Being 路 Cursing and harm 路 Cleansing and purification Living
馃嚟馃嚬 HaitiChristian-Vodou
The blending of Haitian Vodou and Roman Catholicism into a single spiritual practiceTradition 路 Speaking with spirits and the dead 路 Protection Living
馃嚥馃嚱 MexicoVelada
A Mazatec healing ceremony using sacred plants to commune with the divineRite 路 Healing 路 Speaking with spirits and the dead Living
馃嚟馃嚬 HaitiBizango
Haitian secret societies linked to Vodou and social controlTradition 路 Cursing and harm 路 Binding and oaths Living
馃嚟馃嚬 Haiti and 1 moreHaitian Vodou and homosexuality
The place of LGBTQ people in Hait Vodou practice and beliefTradition 路 Speaking with spirits and the dead Living
馃嚥馃嚱 Mexico and 1 moreToltecayotl
A Nahuatl concept of the art of living and wisdom derived from Toltec traditionBelief 路 Power and authority Revived
馃嚟馃嚬 HaitiHaitian CarnivalKanaval
A major Caribbean festival of music, dance, and satire leading to Mardi Gras in HaitiTradition 路 Wonder and entertainment 路 Luck and prosperity Living
馃嚛馃嚥 DominicaBelie Belcan
A loa of justice and protection in Dominican Vud煤, linked to Saint Michael.Being 路 Protection 路 Cursing and harm Living
馃嚟馃嚬 Haiti and 3 moreNago lwa
A Haitian Vodou nation of masculine spirits rooted in Yoruba traditionsBeing 路 Power and authority 路 Speaking with spirits and the dead Living
馃嚟馃嚬 Haiti and 1 morePetwo
A family of hot and volatile spirits in Haitian VodouBeing 路 Power and authority 路 Cursing and harm Living
馃嚬馃嚬 Trinidad and Tobago and 1 moreTrinidadian Vodunu
A West African Vodun tradition practiced in Trinidad and Tobago with Catholic elementsTradition 路 Speaking with spirits and the dead 路 Power and authority Living
馃嚚馃嚤 Chile and 1 moreImbuncheif眉nche
A deformed child-monster of Chilote folklore that guards a warlock's cave and serves as an instrument of curse.Figure 路 Cursing and harm 路 Power and authority Legendary
馃嚨馃嚘 PanamaPanama Creature
A decomposing sloth carcass mistaken for a monster in PanamaBeing Historical
馃嚚馃嚤 ChileWarlock of Chilo茅brujo chilote
A legendary network of sorcerers from the Chilean archipelago and their mythical powers.Belief 路 Cursing and harm 路 Power and authority Legendary
馃嚟馃嚬 HaitiRada lwa
A family of cool-tempered spirits in Haitian VodouBeing 路 Speaking with spirits and the dead Living
馃嚨馃嚜 PeruChakapa
A leaf rattle used by Amazonian healers in ayahuasca ceremonies and spirit cleansing rituals.Rite 路 Healing 路 Speaking with spirits and the dead Living
馃嚬馃嚬 Trinidad and Tobago and 2 moreMama D'Leau
A river spirit of the Caribbean islands who protects aquatic life and heals people.Being 路 Healing 路 Protection Legendary
馃嚚馃嚧 Colombia and 1 moreLa Bolefuego
A fiery apparition from the Llanos that hunts travelers and avoids prayer.Figure 路 Cursing and harm Legendary
馃嚥馃嚱 MexicoMazatec shamanism
A Mazatec healing tradition centered on visionary plant ceremonies called veladasTradition 路 Healing 路 Speaking with spirits and the dead Living
馃嚟馃嚬 HaitiF猫y
A Haitian Vodou folk song used as a political anthem during military ruleTradition 路 Power and authority Living
馃嚙馃嚳 BelizeTata DuendeNukuch Tat
A thumbless forest spirit of Belizean folklore that protects animals and warns children.Being 路 Protection 路 Cursing and harm Living
馃嚛馃嚧 Dominican Republic and 5 moreZemi
A Ta铆no deity or ancestral spirit housed in a carved object used for worship and protectionBeing 路 Protection 路 Healing Historical
馃嚥馃嚱 MexicoTeotlaqualli
A hallucinogenic paste used by Aztec priests and healers in the pre-Columbian era.Substance 路 Speaking with spirits and the dead 路 Healing Historical
馃嚟馃嚬 HaitiBoum'ba Maza
A family of water spirits in Haitian Vodou ritesBeing 路 Luck and prosperity 路 Healing Living
馃嚙馃嚙 Barbados and 2 moreObeah and Wanga
A Caribbean folk magic tradition and a Haitian charm packet, referenced in Western occult texts.Tradition 路 Power and authority 路 Cursing and harm Living
馃嚚馃嚤 ChilePincoya
A Chilotan sea spirit whose dance predicts the catch of fish and seafood.Being 路 Luck and prosperity 路 Power and authority Legendary
馃嚥馃嚱 MexicoEntheogenics and the Maya
Hallucinogenic substances used by the Maya for spiritual rituals and healingTradition 路 Speaking with spirits and the dead 路 Healing Historical
馃嚮馃嚜 VenezuelaDjucu
A warm sea nut used as a lucky charm in the CaribbeanCharm 路 Luck and prosperity Living
馃嚫馃嚮 El SalvadorChasca
A spirit of the water in Salvadoran folklore who blesses respectful fishermenFigure 路 Protection 路 Luck and prosperity Living
馃嚙馃嚪 BrazilLobisomem
A South American shape-shifter born from family fate or sin, often linked to the full moon.Being 路 Cursing and harm Legendary
馃嚞馃嚬 Guatemala and 1 moreEl Sombrer贸n
A tall, hat-wearing figure from Guatemalan legend who courts young women and haunts neighborhoods at dusk.Figure 路 Love and attraction 路 Cursing and harm Legendary
馃嚚馃嚤 Chile and 3 moreGualichu
An evil spirit feared in Mapuche and Tehuelche traditions, and a word for bad luckBeing 路 Cursing and harm Historical
馃嚚馃嚤 Chile and 1 moreKalku
A Mapuche sorcerer who works with negative powers and malevolent spiritsBeing 路 Cursing and harm Legendary
馃嚚馃嚤 Chile and 1 moreGiant
Mythic humanoids of immense size and strength found in global folklore and ancient textsFigure 路 Wonder and entertainment Legendary
馃嚫馃嚮 El Salvador and 2 moreCipit铆o
A perpetual child spirit of Mesoamerica known for mischief and reversed feetFigure 路 Cursing and harm 路 Luck and prosperity Legendary
馃嚥馃嚱 MexicoMercado de Sonora
A Mexico City market known for herbal medicine and occult goodsTradition 路 Protection 路 Love and attraction Living
馃嚛馃嚧 Dominican RepublicAnaisa Pye
A Dominican loa of love and wealth, linked to Saint Anne.Being 路 Love and attraction 路 Luck and prosperity Living
馃嚞馃嚲 Guyana and 1 moreBaccoo
A half-wood spirit from Guyanese and Surinamese folklore that serves as a mercenary or a haunting presence.Being 路 Cursing and harm 路 Speaking with spirits and the dead Legendary
馃嚚馃嚧 ColombiaMohan
A forest spirit and ancestor soul in Colombian Indigenous folkloreBeing 路 Cursing and harm 路 Speaking with spirits and the dead Legendary
馃嚟馃嚬 HaitiMarassa Jumeaux
The divine twins of Haitian Vodou, representing love, truth, and justice.Being 路 Love and attraction 路 Cursing and harm Living
馃嚙馃嚪 BrazilRom茫ozinho
A cursed immortal boy from Brazilian folklore who never grows and causes mischief.Figure 路 Cursing and harm 路 Wonder and entertainment Legendary
馃嚡馃嚥 Jamaica and 4 moreJumbee
A shadowy spirit of the dead in Caribbean folklore, often linked to evil deeds.Belief 路 Cursing and harm Living
馃嚚馃嚤 ChileCamahueto
A one-horned river bull from Chilote folklore that drags people to the seaBeing 路 Cursing and harm Legendary
馃嚙馃嚪 BrazilBestial beastBesta-fera
A centaur-like creature in Brazilian folklore thought to be the Devil.Being 路 Cursing and harm Legendary
馃嚙馃嚪 BrazilCapelobo
A Brazilian monster with a long snout that feeds on blood and brainsBeing 路 Cursing and harm Legendary
馃嚘馃嚪 ArgentinaLegendary creatures of the Argentine Northwest region
Myths and spirits from the Andean highlands of ArgentinaBeing 路 Protection 路 Cursing and harm Historical
馃嚦馃嚠 Nicaragua and 3 moreHeadless priestel cura sin cabeza / paring pugot
A headless Catholic spirit that haunts Central America and the Philippines as a warning against sacrilege.Being 路 Cursing and harm 路 Cleansing and purification Living
馃嚟馃嚬 HaitiChristian-Vodou
The blending of Haitian Vodou and Roman Catholicism into a single spiritual practiceTradition 路 Speaking with spirits and the dead 路 Protection Living
馃嚥馃嚱 MexicoVelada
A Mazatec healing ceremony using sacred plants to commune with the divineRite 路 Healing 路 Speaking with spirits and the dead Living
馃嚟馃嚬 HaitiBizango
Haitian secret societies linked to Vodou and social controlTradition 路 Cursing and harm 路 Binding and oaths Living
馃嚟馃嚬 Haiti and 1 moreHaitian Vodou and homosexuality
The place of LGBTQ people in Hait Vodou practice and beliefTradition 路 Speaking with spirits and the dead Living
馃嚥馃嚱 Mexico and 1 moreToltecayotl
A Nahuatl concept of the art of living and wisdom derived from Toltec traditionBelief 路 Power and authority Revived
馃嚟馃嚬 HaitiHaitian CarnivalKanaval
A major Caribbean festival of music, dance, and satire leading to Mardi Gras in HaitiTradition 路 Wonder and entertainment 路 Luck and prosperity Living
馃嚛馃嚥 DominicaBelie Belcan
A loa of justice and protection in Dominican Vud煤, linked to Saint Michael.Being 路 Protection 路 Cursing and harm Living
馃嚟馃嚬 Haiti and 3 moreNago lwa
A Haitian Vodou nation of masculine spirits rooted in Yoruba traditionsBeing 路 Power and authority 路 Speaking with spirits and the dead Living
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Chakapa: Mario Mart铆n /Archivo Centro Takiwasi, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Maya mythology: Unknown author, Public domain, source
- Mohan: Sanjuan, Public domain, source
- Pincoya: Paul Lowry, CC BY 2.0, source
- Louisiana Voodoo: I cropped, original authors are Ridpath, John Clark, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Folk Catholicism: Calvin Hennick, for WBUR Boston, CC BY 3.0, source
- Camahueto: Rjcastillo, CC BY 4.0, source
- Capelobo: Di (they-them), CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Haitian Carnival: User:Doron, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Belie Belcan: Domfranciscorodrigues, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Imbunche: Lufke, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Panama Creature: Christian Mehlf眉hrer, User:Chmehl, CC BY 2.5, source
- Zemi: Unknown author, CC0, source
- Giant: Attributed to Francisco Goya, Public domain, source
- Mercado de Sonora: AlejandroLinaresGarcia, CC BY-SA 4.0, source