APIFantasy | Myth and Folklore Anthology

Afghani Mythology - Mythical Creatures

Demons & Monsters

Div or Dev - Alos, known as Daeva (gods that are to be rejected) in Zooristanian mythology. They are often depicted as large beings with enormous heads on their shoulders. In afghani folklore, they are equivalent to ogres, and a personification of every imaginable evil.

Ghor Baba or Baba Ghori - His stories are popular among village adults. They would scare kids with stories of Ghor Baba. He is a monster with lightning powers, that would take naughty kids away from their parents to a place called Ghori Baibani.

Xāl - Demons of childbirth, interfering with human reproduction. Various other names include Alk in Armenian and Kurdish, Ol and Hāl in Tajikistan, Almasti or Albasti in Central Asian Turkic-speaking countries, and Halmasti among the Dards. The Afghan description of this creature is that of an evil feminine-like being with sharp talon-like claws that easily tear through human flesh and help with extracting and devouring fetuses.

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Mythical Animals

Karkadann - They are described as creatures much like unicorns, but violently strong and aggressive. They are believed to be ferocious towards other animals and easily subdued by virgins. The horn of Karkadann is believed to be an antidote to poison and a cure for any illness.

Sirānis - The name is derived from the Greek siren, from which the creature evolved into a musical carnivore being found in ancient Kabul. It was said to have 12 orifices in its snout and when it breathed, pleasant musical sounds were created like that of mizmar.

The Buraq or Al-Buraq - A creature with the body of a horse, the tail of a peacock, wings, and the head of a beautiful woman. It has its origin in Islamic mythology; believed to be the creature Prophet Muhammad rode to visit the heavens. Sometimes, it is also described as half-mule half-donkey with wings and the face of a woman.

Simurgh or Simorgh - A benevolent, mythical bird of great wisdom with its origin in Persian mythology. Later, came to be known as Huma and sometimes, Quqnus (i.e. equivalent to Pheonix).

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Lore of Djinn

Pai Girdak - A jinn with round-shaped feet, that would frequent public bathhouses in the early hours. As long as you don't stare at their feet, they will leave you alone.

Qareen or Hamzaad - A jinn that is a double of human. It is believed that everyone is born with their own Qareen. Some belief it to be part of the human that causes them to do bad things and evil. People also believe that Qareen can be captured and controlled by their humans. Qareen can give you information about any person in the world and find lost things. They also have the power to cure illnesses and can control others' Qareen to make them do their bidding.

Hinn and Sila - These are shapeshifter jinn and like to take the form of animals, especially dogs, and snakes.

Ifrit - Jinns who frequent and protect burial grounds.

Marid - The most powerful jinns that have the ability to grant wishes.

Vetala and Palis - These are vampire-like jinn who drink the blood of corpses through the soles of their feet. They can also possess human corpses preventing them from decay.

Nakhro or Shopaira - Beautiful women who lose their minds after being abducted by the jinns.

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