Guest Speakers: Alex Hofelich, Derek Austin Johnson, Tonia Ransom, M.M. Schill, D. L. Wainright
While heroes are often who we relate and want to connect with, one cannot help but be drawn to the nature of antagonists, villains, and creatures that go ‘bump’ in the night. These are the forces that test the hero, and see the measure of his or her strength of will. I personally find the antagonists to be more interesting than the hero, but sometimes it can be tiring to see the same monsters over and over again, what we have grown familiar and accustomed with. Taking a look into other cultures, their lore, legends, and belief systems can be very unique and refreshing. So, what are some favorites among the experts who have taken time to explore?
The Homonculus from Dr. Who was mentioned, along with Golems (animated beings made of clay) from Jewish mythology. A Jiangshi, the Chinese “hopping” vampire, Cryptids (something claimed to exist, but never proven – ex: Loch Ness Monster), and Kelly Goblins – local legends of Kentucky and Tennessee, dealing with matters of the extraterrestrial. Hungry Ghosts are beings that feed on greed, and the Mara are demon forces who oppose enlightenment (such as hate, delusion, etc.) both of which are found in Buddhist beliefs. Haitian Zombies are corpses raised by magic against their will, and the Oni are trolls in Japanese mythology.
Folklore threats were often centered around agriculture, weather, and the forces of nature. In rural areas, people may have a fear of being isolated. In urban areas, there may be a fear of other people. What are some examples of great horror fiction that explores some of these themes?
The experts recommended: Black Cranes: Tales of Unquiet Women, a horror anthology featuring Asian women. The Jewish Book of Horror was another anthology mentioned. Sixty-One Nails: (Courts of the Feyre) features horror faerie stories. Nothing But Blackened Teeth is a tale steeped in Japanese folklore.
Common themes are explored in different cultures and genres. Religious horror often tends to focus on demons. African American horror often reveals humans as monsters, or monsters with human characteristics. Japanese horror frequently observes the lower class, or women (who in history could be legally abused/sold) coming back from the afterlife as vengeful spirits.
When writing about other cultures and their beliefs, you may want to take a moment to consider how it might affect the people within that culture. For example, when Stephen King wrote about the Wendigo, it was highly divergent from Native American beliefs, where it originated. As a result, many people from their culture were offended. For some, the Wendigo may not just be a story to them, but a part of their spiritual or religious beliefs. If you’re interested in exploring the roots of Native American folklore (or any cultural folklore/beliefs for that matter), it generally helps to seek authors from that background. There can be a wide variety of perspectives within the same culture as well. Another example of folklore that is highly sensitive are the Ubume, or Yokai spirits of women who died during childbirth.
So, why are people in western cultures actively seeking monsters and antagonists from around the world more and more recently? It could be a result of blending cultures in the US, the development of a ‘melting pot’ which introduces a variety of concepts and ideas via a mixture of backgrounds. It could also be an innate hunger for something ‘new.’ Some monsters/antagonists are over-done to the point where they have become so common as to appear on cereal boxes (such as vampires and werewolves.) Many people search for the unique or unusual, so they can be enthralled and ‘scared’ again. Thankfully, the internet grants us access in a way that is far more widespread than we ever could have hoped. Exploration is ever at your fingertips.
What are some of your favorite terrifying beings from outside your own culture? What region of history or lore draws and fascinates you? Do you have a favorite story or set of tales that feature these creatures, spirits, or beliefs? How and why did it enthrall you? Please let me know in the comments below!
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An example of this I read recently was Rage of Dragons:
https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/41952489-the-rage-of-dragons
The main antagonists are men who are a higher caste than the hero, while the dragons are unlike european dragons. African dragons are more like gods, utterly removed from the concerns of men unless compelled to do so. Its a unique setting for a familiar theme.
The witcher is another popular example. Eastern european mythology is central to the world.