Kallikantzaros
Greek primer illustration of a kallikantzaros with goat legs and donkey ears | |
| Creature information | |
|---|---|
| Other name(s) | karakoncolos, karakondžula, karakondzhol |
| Grouping | Folklore |
| Sub grouping | Goblin |
| Origin | |
| Country | Greece, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania |
| Region | Southeastern Europe |
| Details | Shape-shifting |
The kallikantzaros (Greek: καλικάντζαρος, romanized: kalikántzaros; Albanian: karkanxholji / karkançoli; Bulgarian: караконджул, romanized: karakondžul; Serbian: караконџула / karakondžula; Turkish: karakoncolos; or kallikantzaroi in plural) is a malevolent creature in Southeast European and Anatolian folklore. Stories about the kallikantzaros or its equivalents can typically be found in Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey, Serbia, Albania, Bosnia, and Cyprus. Kallikantzaroi are believed to dwell underground but come to the surface during the twelve days of Christmas, from 25 December to 6 January (from the winter solstice for a fortnight, during which time the sun ceases its seasonal movement).