Being raised in Trinidad and Tobago, or by Trinidadian parents, you are exposed to the nerve-racking tales of the folklore which has been passed down through generations. Growing up, my mother, aunts, cousins, and even neighbourbood children made sure every detail of every story was etched into my brain. Now, it's time I revive these stories and share them with more people. Details of each story may differ throughout different parts of the island, but these are the versions I have personally been told.
Recommended for you
1. Soucouyant - in Trinidad, it is usually pronounced, "sue-coo-yah"
I remember growing up in Couva, in Central Trinidad, there was an old lady who lived in a tree adjacent to the main road. All the older children in the neighbourhood told the younger children that the old lady was a soucouyant. Every single time I drove past that tree, I made every effort not to look her directly in her eyes or I would indirectly invite her into my house where she would then suck my blood to gain youthfulness. Yes, you heard me. A soucouyant is essentially a shape-shifter who appears as a lonely old lady during the day, but by night sheds her skin and transforms into a fireball. It is said that the soucouyant preys of first-borns or newborn babies and sucks the blood out of them to regain youthfulness and maintain immortality. Luckily, there are ways to repel the soucouyant, such as placing a plate of rice outside your door, because she will have to count every grain before entering, and if she miscounts, she will have to re-count. If the soucouyant draws enough blood, the victim will die and have to assume her skin. If not, the victim usually wakes up with a blue bruise on some part of their body. My childhood best friend claimed she looked into the soucouyant's eyes and the next morning woke up with a bruise. Who am I to dismiss her claim?
2. Douens - pronounced "doo-whens" or "wen"
My biggest childhood fear. In the forest behind my cousin's house, it was said that many douens resided there, so I made every effort not to be in her backyard alone, ever, even up to this day. Douens are lost souls of children who had not been baptized before they passed away. Douens wander the earth for eternity, and usually live in forests or near swamps. They have backward feet, wear straw hats, and have faces that are indistinguishable. They lure children into the forest by chanting their name, which is why Trinidadian parents may be wary of calling their childrens' names in public. Children often mistake douens for real children, making it easier to be lured. There have been actual recorded reports of douen encounters from children in rural areas within Trinidad.
3. La Diablesse - in Trinidad, it's pronounced "la-ja-bless"
I was never afraid of the La Diablesse due to the fact that her victims were said to be only adult men. The La Diablesse appears as an attractive woman and lures men in late at night, usually on nights with a full moon. However, men barely catch a glimpse of her face, as it is said to be hideous, so she covers it with a large brimmed hat. But wait, it gets better. The La Diablesse has one human leg and the other leg is a cow's hoof. When she chooses a victim, she lures them into the forest with a promise of some sort of sexual favour, but then she disappears and leaves them in the forest to wander, and perhaps die. To repel the La Diablesse, one should turn his clothes inside out, or if it's suspected that a woman in your presence is one, use a lighter or a lit match and she will disappear.
