THE SOUCOUYANT IN THE COMICS Because of the Soucouyant’s prominence in Trinidadian folklore, it was inevitable that she would be included as a character in Terror of the Midnight Robber.  The Soucouyant’s popularity can be attributed to the universal appeal of vampire mythology, and the comic book version plays off of that.  In issue 2 we meet Nila, a beautiful, sensual young woman.  There’s something not quite right about her but Tony cannot resist her charms.  He goes back to her home, then finds himself at the mercy of a demonic beast in the middle of a cane-field in central Trinidad.   It turns out that Nila has a dark secret, one that may cost Tony his life.   Visually, the Soucouyant is depicted in three forms.  When we first meet Nila, she is beautiful, has a voluptuous body and wears suggestive clothing.  Nila also has a sibling, who appears as a large beast with pale skin and a very demonic face.  This form is not taken from folklore stories but was actually created for the comic version.  Finally, there is a sequence that shows the Soucouyant as a creature made of flame encased in human skin.  This last form is featured prominently in traditional Soucouyant mythology.   The legend of the Soucouyant was something that Wendell Riley was exposed to early on in his life.  When he was 11, a classmate who lived in Cunupia told a story in class about his father (a farmer) killing a Soucouyant.  He explained that his father had found the creature’s skin one day and coated the inside with pepper sauce.  When the Soucouyant returned and tried to don the skin, she was physically overwhelmed by the effect of the pepper on her body and she died.  What struck Wendell was not the story itself, but the sincerity and seriousness that his classmate displayed while describing the events.  The boy truly believed the story he was telling.  It represented the power of storytelling, and how it could shape a person’s beliefs and world-view.   (Artwork by Christopher Riley and Nigel Carrington)
THE LEGEND OF THE SOUCOUYANT Most cultures have a vampire legend.  Whether the creature is referred to as the Strigoi, Succubus, Nosferatu, Lamia or Baobhan Sith, stories featuring a creature that thrives on the life essence of its victims (blood, flesh or the person’s very life force) are told worldwide.   The Soucouyant legend is no exception. Most Soucouyant stories suggest that she is an old woman or witch that lives alone.  Some believe that she drinks the blood of her victims while others believe that she collects the blood and gives it to the Devil in exchange for dark powers.  The blood is taken from the arms legs and even big-toes of victims.  Other stories suggest that the Soucouyant may not always draw blood, but will just punch and kick victims in their sleep.  These victims will awake to find severe bruising all over their bodies.  No matter what abuse she inflicts, the victim slowly becomes emaciated and, in most cases, dies.  She travels by shedding her skin, revealing her true form as a ball of flame.  She hides the skin in a mortar and then flies away to her destination. The Devil features prominently in many Soucouyant stories as the source of her powers.  Many believe that the Soucouyant was once a mortal woman that made a deal with the Devil that allowed her to become a shape-shifter (similar to the Lagahoo).  She is also able to manipulate her body to fit through small spaces in order to invade the homes of victims.  Unlike the Westernized version of the vampire legend, the Soucouyant does not need to be invited into a room.  She can enter freely to claim her prize. The Soucouyant, like many other folklore characters in Trinidad and Tobago, seems to be a hybrid of European and African myths.  In his book Folklore & Legends of Trinidad and Tobago, Gerard A. Besson writes, “It was said long ago that certain French families brought the vampire tradition to Trinidad.  These European vampires intermingled with their enslaved African counterparts, and out of this the Soucouyant emerged.”  Indeed in Africa, the Sasabonsam is an Ashanti myth that is believed to terrorize Togo, Ghana and the Ivory Coast.  The Sasabonsam is a bloodsucker, as is the Obayifo, another West African myth that bears some similarity to the Soucouyant.  The Obayifo takes the form of an old woman or witch and can be identified at night by light emanating from her armpits and anus.  One can infer that this is vaguely similar to the idea that the Soucouyant is a creature of fire encased in human skin.   There are conflicting theories on how a Soucouyant can be killed.  One way is by finding and poisoning her skin while she is away, and another, more recognizable method is by sprinkling rice or grains of salt on the ground.  Because the creature is compelled to stop and count every single grain, she can be held captive and struck dead while she is occupied with the act.   (Illustration by Alfred Codallo)
READER SUBMITTED SOUCOUYANT STORY "I was born in Trinidad and moved to NY when I was 2. The first time I went back was when I was around... 8-10, I do not remember. The first night when my family [was] hanging out in the back of the house, someone said they thought they saw a Soucouyant. Now at this point I [had] no idea what anyone [was] talking about, but I was rushed into the house.     Later that night, I slept in a king size bed with my uncle, his wife, [myself] and my cousin, in that order. Sometime during the night, I opened my eyes and saw a ball of fire moving in an infinity pattern. It looked like the top quarter of an old woman; head and shoulders. It was an Indian woman, dark skinned... I still remember that face today!  Below where her chest would be was the ball of fire. After I saw it, I shut my eyes and didn't move for what seemed to be a half-an-hour. I finally opened my eyes and it was gone. The next morning, I went to my grandma (it was her house) and told her what happened. She explained to me that [it] was a Soucouyant. I first thought it was my mind playing tricks on me, but the fact that I did not know what it was and I [was able to describe it accurately] just proves the fact that Soucouyants are real. Long story short... If Soucouyants [are] real... Then what else is out there?" - SUBMITTED BY JEREMY HARRIDATH