Why Do These Christmas Monsters Want To Destroy the World? | Monstrum

[@themelinatrikilis8628]

As a Greek I was NOT expecting that episode but I'm so glad it exists! Kalikantzaroi are a staple of Christmas folk tales here

[@riichobamin7612]

May I know where exactly in Greece are you from ?

[@lakrids-pibe]

"What do you mean he don't eat no meat!?!?!" "That's ok, I make lamb"

[@pbsstoried]

Literally started eating lamb when we started dating 😂-*Dr.Z*

[@esteemedmortal5917]

That movie is eerily accurate

[@codytaylor-g2p]

@@pbsstoried Can You Try. 1. Kitsune 2. Ifrit 3. Mages

[@reddhafallen7289]

​@@codytaylor-g2psince when are Mage's monsters? Elias Ainsworth does not count from The Ancient Magus Bride.

[@Mrtfarrugia]

So this answers the question "Who pissed in your Corn Flakes?"

[@Pavlos_Charalambous]

😂😂😂

[@Pavlos_Charalambous]

😂😂

[@arirenzi-surprenant]

@@Mrtfarrugia or in my native family “who pissed in your bepsi.”

[@BeautyNeedsAWitness]

Even creepier is the story of the doctor who invented the corn flakes... 😮

[@עומרשרייבר-ל4ר]

And people call halloween the spooky season when christmas got alot of weird ass creepy monsters.

[@Billionth_Kevin]

makes sense, halloween in the fall when it starts getting colder, plants die, and the nights get longer is the start of spooky season. Culminating in chirstmas, which used to be exactly the solstice, either way close enough to the darkest day of the year. After that, fear not those afraid of the dark, freezing and starvation. Its all getting brighter and warmer! So halloween celebrates death and christmas celebrates the death of death, when the sun is born again

[@NightmareRex6]

ALL major holidays easter istar holoween (weening self from life) christmas (satan takes soul for worldy boxes of presents) eta are ALL occult!

[@Galacticbreaker]

​@NightmareRex6 Dunno about that. My people have got holidays that range from being about surviving against conquerors to "Trees are cool. Here's a birthday for them."

[@kingdarkem]

​@@NightmareRex6praise natas

[@Molech996]

As a Cypriot, I really appreciate you guys for making this video.Also, your pronunciation of the word "καλικάτζαρος" isn't half bad.

[@pbsstoried]

I called my mother-in-law as we were filming for help with it!-*Dr.Z*

[@mythicalcreaturesdoctorsor3589]

​​@@pbsstoried kallikantzaroi : 🇬🇷 Greece Christmas traditional night forest village

[@davidlafleche1142]

Nobody needs to destroy the world. All they have to do is sit back, let people act naturally, and they'll do it themselves.

[@hellNo116]

I am so weirded out your in laws haven't heard of kalikantzaros. I was raised with their stories. I remember being terrified of them when I was like 6 or 7. Also I am not even 30. It is not like I am 80 or something. Really happy to have this episode for the holiday season.

[@Wolfcreed117]

So they're like a combination between gremlins and krampus. That's neat.😎👍

[@ikeekieeki]

kramplins

[@Cerberus276-h1m]

Now this is a monster I never heard of. And Greek mythology is my favorite mythology.

[@TeutonicEmperor1198]

well your name checks out!

[@sammyvictors2603]

Its more Greek Folklore than Greek Mythology. After Greece was Christianized, we developed a lore about the Exotika, or Unseen creatures. They're somewhat similar to western European fairies, and are just as dangerous. These Exotika were further developed in folklore under the Ottoman Turkish occupation. Several Greek villages/region would probably use these creatures as stand-ins for the Turkish invaders. But this is my theory as a Greek-American.

[@TheBearAspirin]

Work: What are you bringing to the Christmas potluck? Me: Suckling baby born on Christmas Eve marinated in garlic and wrapped in phyllo dough. It's a traditional Greek holiday dish apparently.

[@esteemedmortal5917]

I remember my dad telling me about these. Though if I recall, his mom (my γιαγιά) would tell him to stay away from the Christmas tree because these monsters might be lurking around there. Clearly, a ploy to keep him from peeking at presents.

[@TheLykaios1122]

I'm half Greek, and I appreciate this video so much. I've had a difficult time finding much information on the little critters. Thanks again.

[@Draxynnic]

Some of the more complete books on fairies and goblins have them. If you're interested, I could go through my library and find you some examples, although it's pretty much always a case of having a page or two in a book that has hundreds of others.

[@Kuwagumo]

Now, this is a yuletide monster i have never heard about! Thanks DR. Z!

[@elenin.3228]

Hello! Greek old girl here! Kallikantzaroi supposedly emerge from the depths of the Earth on Christmas Eve. The only thing they really fear is holly water. On January 5, on holly water day, according to the calendar of the Greek Orthodox Church, priests sprinkle everything with holly water, using bunches of laurel and basil twigs. That is supposed to drive them back where they came from. I still remember of a rhyme we were taught as kids: "Φεύγετε να φεύγουμε! Έρχεται ο παλιοπαπας με την αγιαστουρα του και με τη βρεχτουρα του", loosely translated, "Run, run, let's go! The bloody priest is coming with his holly water and his soaking twigs".

[@Myself-yf5do]

We'd appreciate it if you made videos about the following monsters: -KELPIES -BOOBRIES -THE BUARACH-BHAOI

[@NegaHumanX]

I've been rewatching Xena: Warrior Princess and am starting season 4. I was disappointed that the "Christmas" episode not only didn't have Xena fighting off an army of hairy trickster goblins while protecting the world tree, but instead it was a Christmas Carol parody with orphans thrown in. They could have had Demeter show up dressed all Santa-like and complaining about her daughter being "away for the holidays" so Gabrielle tries to distract her with Saturnalia traditions.

[@Draxynnic]

As soon as I saw the tagline about Christmas monsters looking to destroy the world, I immediately thought "Ah, kallikantzaroi!". They are a bit on the obscure side, but some of the more expansive encyclopaedias of faeries and goblins have them. There is a version where one of the defences against turning into one as an adult is by wearing a colander on the day. I had a Greek coworker once who's birthday was on Christmas, so on the year I found that out I reminded him to wear his colander. Got a thumbs up, so I assume he recognised the reference. There's also a version where they live in pots, and they have a more dangerous cousin called the koutsodaimonas that essentially acts as the warrior caste - harder to ward off than the regular kallikantzaroi, and they'll specifically go after people who have harmed one or more of the regular kallikantzaroi.

[@jebustjr]

Yes!! Move over Krampus. The sound like Gremlins

[@sammyvictors2603]

Krampus is more of an Anti-Santa Claus, the punisher of naughty children.

[@tux_duh]

​@@sammyvictors2603 who's to say krampus couldn't have been inspired by a proto indo European concept of a scary spirit out at yuletide to punish bad kids (A lot like Gryla and her lads too from iceland)

[@aflyonthewall8177]

Ooh, I did not expect a video on Kallikantzaroi!! This will be fun! I had a book on greek Christmas traditions and folklore, when i was a kid and the chapter on Kallikantzaroi scared me so much I was afraid to turn those pages lol. Much love, from a longtime Greek fan!!!

[@PokhrajRoy.]

I know only about goblin mode. Now that many of us have mastered.

[@colleenorourke7199]

O.......MG. This just expanded my own personal family lore in a HILARIOUSLY perfect way. Okay so stay with me on this: - My fiancé and I have a running joke about the Beach Boy's song, "Little Saint Nick." I've always found it bemusing how one of the key repeated lines in the chorus is the low-toned intonation, "Christmas comes this time each year." Like...hy is that so interesting it needs to be commented on? Yes, my guy, that is literally how time works?? So we joke that the song is actually the "Christmas Demonstrates the Cyclical Nature of Time"-Song - But now after seeing this, and how kallikantzaros can be scared off by literally reminding them of the cyclical nature of time...MAYBE THAT'S THE WHOLE SECRET PURPOSE OF THE SONG??? O_________O - ALSO "ST NICK" WAS ORIGINALLY GREEK!!!! O_____________________O

[@soterisphoraris4080]

Hi Dr.Zarka you might want to take a look at current Cypriot traditions surrounding kalikanzaroi we banish them by throwing loukoumades (you probably already know but they're kind of like donut holes dipped in honey syrup). There's even an artist which gathered stories about the kalikanzaroi from around the island and published a book.

[@ΕυάγγελοςΦώσκολος]

As a greek, I love that you covered this creature. In my country, the word "Καλικάντζαρος" is used to describe many things, not just a specific creature. Elves, goblins, trolls and even the Irish leprechaun. I never heard of the variants that you covered. Heck, most people I know call Santa's elves καλικάντζαρους.

[@joeshmoe9978]

And we all thought Krampus is the worst! 😮

[@RCT335]

You need to do a video on La Befana. The Italian Gift Giving Witch of Epiphany.

[@lilbasenji1]

Yay best day ever when a new monstrum video is released. What the heck? This is such a weird monster. Definitely the definition of entropy and control. I am glad that this creature is not a belief now. I don’t want my feet burned. Just imagine welcoming a baby into the world and then burning its toes. That’s worse than getting coal. Good thing this doesn’t include animals. My two December fur babies probably would not like burned paw pads. Thanks Dr Z and monstrum crew for teaching me about this weird monster.

[@andersonic]

They love to count? Sounds like a vampire to me, ah ah ah!

[@meganthefencer694]

I’m sorry, THEY LIKE TO WHAT?!? Edit: I love the *Grimm* reference!!!

[@christopherjustice6411]

And I thought the Germans had weird Christmas legends.

[@Mackyle-Wotring]

If you look hard enough you would find at least one in every culture.

[@whatever5401]

Always happy to watch videos covering lesser known mythical creatures. I would love to see an episode about the zduhaći next since i find the lore behind them so fascinating

[@nicholasrodinos4701]

2:54 Or because Demeter is the type of goddess to play chicken with the lives of everyone on Earth to get her daughter back. Also Demeter worked with Limos, goddess of starvation to curse a king with hunger so horrible that he sold of his kingdom and daughter to sate his appetite, and eventually he committed autocannibalism, all because that king killed her favorite tree.

[@Ibisian]

A skin bag is exactly what it sounds like: a bag made from animal skin. They were usually used to hold things such as water, oil, milk, wine (thus 'wineskins'), butter or cheese.

[@daniellerobbins6503]

As someone who's birthday is in the 12 days of Christmas, the thought of roasting a babies feet is especially horrific; that would have been me!

[@lgran79]

Ok, now I like Christmas even more. Now we need Valentines day monsters!❤

[@CaitlinSmith-s1j]

I loved this episode, especially when you referenced Grimm (those episodes would make me want to learn more about different creatures and beliefs). I made sure to do the survey!

[@tabithatrimm-hooson4585]

I didn’t know the Greeks had a world tree. I thought that was just a Nordic thing. Cool!

[@suffusedindream]

So to save the child you must cook them until tender and mild, got it. 😂

[@greensteve9307]

LOL!

[@steverlfs]

Those who wish to read more about these entities should consult Lawson's classic work "Modern Greek Folklore." He devotes about fifty pages to them.

[@ni-dirus]

I just found out about Percht/Perchten yesterday and was so pleased at myself for discovering a new witch/deity for wintertime lol

[@ni-dirus]

I read that Percht had one goose foot and one human foot, which reminds me of this monster and Krampus, and Percht gutted people and filled them with stones or hay. Percht looked like a hideous old woman or a beautiful young woman.

[@LoudSiren-123]

To answer the PBS survey, we want MORE MONSTRUM!!!!

[@ninjaman1986]

I have a book called A Christmas Bestiary that runs like an advent calendar of 24 spooky friends (or fiends) of the holiday.

[@RansackWrestling]

Need this program to be a podcast...it's great...

[@NewMessage]

Well. * pushes soup away *

[@purplexninjamom]

6:30 I love this. As soon as I heard the name of this monster at the beginning, I thought of the Grimm episode. The solution to these monsters in that episode? Fruitcake. :D

[@tazk3397]

In Cyprus (where we also have the kalikantzaroi) we have a tradition on the night of January 6th (day of the epiphany ) where you chuck loukoumades (fried dough balls covered with honey) on the ceramic tiles of the roof while reciting a little jolly song/poem which basically says "eat these dough balls and leave us alone". We even have a worldwide recignised lino carver named Hambis, that played a huge role in the popularization of the kalikantzaroi legends in modern times, as he made many depictiona of them and published many books with their stories

[@emom358]

This was excellent, if too short. Thank you.

[@booitsjohnny]

I've definitely heard of these before, I have Greek family and they told me about it when i was a kid. Ever since I've always been more interested in the Yuletide than Christmas itself. Great video!

[@Pokorombo]

In Cyprus traditionally we keep them at bay by tossing some fried food (like sausages or loukmades) onto the roof of the house to appease them, while chanting a little poem for the occasion.

[@TheCanadiangirl4]

Finished the survey, I hope it helps. I love Monstrum.

[@octorant]

Thank you for presenting a modern greek monster. Opa and yamas!

[@stevenmiller2427]

Love this kind of history, showcasing everyday history.

[@Joanna-pt9ol]

Me saying yes when asked if ive heard of these because every year around christmas, I look up christmas monsters for the holiday season 😅

[@nemothenobody7859]

Happy holidays!

[@darthdenn1s]

I guess they weren't raised in Greece or else they'd definitely know about it.

[@rat-xo7mj]

Yeah i was pretty surprised because these creatures are very well known in Greece

[@dragonlorddracodenblaze]

Johnny, Timmy, and Jeffrey! They are mischievous fellas but have good hearts outside Christmas

[@Jayjay-qe6um]

There should be a movie about this.

[@Jay-ql4gp]

Thank you so much!

[@DavidHillel]

Hey Dr. Emily Zarka I was wondering if you make an episode about the Inuit mythologies Akhlut you know the whale Orca wolf monster of the Arctic places

[@mathieuleader8601]

I remember getting excited watching last years trailer for the Doctor Who special The Church on Ruby Road thinking that RTD was going to have his own interpretation of the Kalikantzaroi being the first threat that the 15th Doctor will come to face with and win.

[@ChrisConnolly-Mr.C-Dives-In]

As United States born person with grandparents from Greece, I had not heard of this monster. And for sure on my Irish side I never heard of this one.

[@drfill9210]

That tree story suggests that your monster is far older than Greek tradition. Tree of life is one of the earliest myths to exist

[@tonymyers733]

Thay was the wildest monster you put out doctor..😮love it..

[@AkaManah45]

But didn't in early vampire tales many of them weren't considered dead but did feed of life force before the whole blood, right?! Love the video

[@HauntedMushroom96]

Theres a lot of similarities between kalikanzaroi and other monsters. Why are these traits so common ? They count holes in the dish similar to how chinese vampires or caribbean vampires cant resist counting rice or salt grains. They have one human foot and one goat foot similar to the caribbean la diablesse They drink blood like vampires. They are associated with deformations like changelings. They shapeshift like faires and other monster Does anyone know why these similarities show up in monsters from different cultures ? Or are there any other similarities that i missed ?

[@broEye1]

Drain life force. Weak to sunlight. Weak to holy symbols and numbers. Can't resist the urge to count things. Not vampires. WHAT!?

[@colonelhammerhead]

WAIT THEY LIKE TO WHAT?

[@syafiqjabar]

The Kalikanzari Tapes are real! But they like to deflect by asking you about Hilaria Kalintanos' emails.

[@GilTheDragon]

That passing through fire reminds me of the doing which Demeter started doing to burn mortality away

[@Beryllahawk]

Love this!! Most especially because my little brother was born early on Christmas morning!!! I'm going to make a picture of this creature and give that to him as a good little holiday prank, haha!

[@KamenSentaiMetalHero]

I love learning about the darker side of Christmas.

[@lordgeneralmilitantdeezy7550]

Grimm MENTION, loved that episode

[@herebecause]

This Immortal by Roger Zelazny mentions this! But I don't remember if it goes into this detail.

[@alicewilloughby4318]

3:58 - I would think that would make it hard to walk properly and give the poor devil back problems!

[@patricksanders858]

" LOOK! I WAS SLEEPING CURLED UP IN MY LEATHER CLOAK WHEN SOME MORON SLASHED ME! WHERE IS HE?!"

[@andrewshaughnessy5828]

Must remember to rewatch that Grimm episode (and the one with Krampus!)🤓

[@dubbingsync]

The Krampus one feels like it is easier to rewatch out of context. I watched both episodes last year during the Christmas period and want to say the series plot didn’t interrupt the Krampus one as much. But I could be getting it completely backwards.

[@andrewshaughnessy5828]

@@dubbingsync No, I think you're right. "Twelve Days of Krampus" is more of a stand-alone episode.

[@LordDany]

As a people that often identifies as a monster i do like to learn about my fellow monsters

[@TylerRakstis]

That's at least new to me to acknowledge another obscure monster associated with Christmas.

[@albertesteva9684]

Grimm was such a fun show

[@sirguy6678]

Excellent video! It’s amazing how many cultures have small and annoying monsters

[@SirThopas3]

The whole "a child born around Christmas could turn into a kallikantzaros so hold them over a fire and burn their toes" could maybe just be a corrupted idea of trying to keep newborn babies warm in the dead of winter. With only a hearth fire to warm the house, you would want to keep a newborn close to it.

[@sda2911]

Some of the descriptions make me think of Luci from the show Disenchantment!

[@pendragon2012]

Wow. I was going to ask if you had seen the Grimm episode. Cool!

[@sdgesedege]

Thanks to your research, I’ve done some myself and discover even my supposedly folklore-barren home region has interesting characters I’d never heard about before, such as a goblin that’s responsible for gas. Also, please don’t dilute your style and embrace the blandness of “AI” images (3:07).

[@Passions5555]

Agreed about the AI images

[@ectosludge]

That video title really hits you harder than a slap from a brick wall.

[@deniseramosgonzalez4799]

Great video, and I just did the survey. 👍

[@camitag7075]

PEE IN MY FOOD??? Unacceptable, I must know more. (Proceeds to watch the video)

[@hitchpost5822]

Other than this have you talked about Christmas ghosts or ghost stories in past episodes ? If so could you please provide a link. Thank you for your time.

[@toca-thatonecrazyaunt4102]

Yay, more Christmas monsters!!!❤️🖤

[@alonachiong666]

That's the funniest title I've seen so far I had to click

[@ak9989]

My kids use to pee everywhere. But they were small😂.

[@sarantissporidis391]

Μy grandmother (1907 - 2004)claimed that she had seen one when she was and her kid brother were left alone in the house. She was a child then.

[@BeautyNeedsAWitness]

Merry Monstermas!

[@Ace_AloneWolf]

I’m pretty sure they live in the machines in my factory. That’s why they’re constantly breaking down and I feel like I’ve had the life sucked out of me by Tuesday

[@serenityq26]

yes, form a comic im currently reading called "summer shadows". the main antagonist MAY be a kallikantzaros, at least that is what one character thinks and referred to them as greek vampires. i always thought the bacchae were greek vampires because of xena.

[@ikeekieeki]

awesome, i never heard of these monsters

[@CSHallo]

Can Monstrum ever outdo this video’s title?

[@AroundTheBlockAgain]

And I thought kids today had it rough if they were born around Christmas, getting combined Christmas-and-birthday gifts and parties...

[@orsino88]

I think the connection to the lamia is pretty weak, but there *may* be links to the satyr and to the centaur, both of whom could be excessively wild and chaotic.

[@zombiebunnyposse4273]

Great episode

[@rat-xo7mj]

Kinda surprised that Greek in-laws had never heard of kalikantzarous? They're not unknown in Greece, in fact quite the opposite 😭

[@JeantheSecond-ip7qm]

Good thing my dad wasn’t born in Greece when they were afraid of kids born around Christmas. He was a Christmas Eve baby.

[@nazokashii]

Thank you for sharing