Did you know that Australian Aboriginal folklore had something similar to a vampire in it?
Fig trees are in the news at the moment because they attract the brown headed bat which is the carrier for Hendra virus. Could a large quantity of bats in a fig tree be the start of this little red man folk law?
The Yara-ma-yha-who resembles a little red man with a very big head, large mouth with no teeth. On the ends of its hands and feet are suckers. It lives in fig trees and does not hunt for food, but waits until an unsuspecting traveler rests under the tree, then catches the victim and drains their blood using the suckers on its hands and feet, making them weak.
It later comes back and consumes the person, drinks some water, and then takes a nap.
When the Yara-ma-yha-who awakens, it regurgitates the victim, leaving it "shorter" than before. The victim's skin also turns slightly more "red" than before.
This story is similar to the vampire myths and the habitat is where bats are found, in fig trees. I find it interesting how varied cultures from around the world, have myths with similarities, tied in with nature.
If you know anything about the Yara-ma-yha-who, I would love to hear your comments.
Fig trees are in the news at the moment because they attract the brown headed bat which is the carrier for Hendra virus. Could a large quantity of bats in a fig tree be the start of this little red man folk law?
The Yara-ma-yha-who resembles a little red man with a very big head, large mouth with no teeth. On the ends of its hands and feet are suckers. It lives in fig trees and does not hunt for food, but waits until an unsuspecting traveler rests under the tree, then catches the victim and drains their blood using the suckers on its hands and feet, making them weak.
It later comes back and consumes the person, drinks some water, and then takes a nap.
When the Yara-ma-yha-who awakens, it regurgitates the victim, leaving it "shorter" than before. The victim's skin also turns slightly more "red" than before.
This story is similar to the vampire myths and the habitat is where bats are found, in fig trees. I find it interesting how varied cultures from around the world, have myths with similarities, tied in with nature.
If you know anything about the Yara-ma-yha-who, I would love to hear your comments.
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