The 12 Dark Days: Karankoncolos, the Goblins of Christmastime

Forget the usual holiday cheer and dive into the chilling world of Christmas folklore with the terrifying Karakoncolos (also known as Kallikantzaros).

These malevolent, shapeshifting, hairy winter goblins emerge exclusively during the Twelve Dark Days, the treacherous period between Christmas (December 25th) and Epiphany (January 6th), to wreak havoc across the Balkans. We uncover the sinister origins of this enduring European myth, tracing it back to the drunken, masked chaos of the ancient Dionysian festivals in Greece, and reveal their terrifying cosmic purpose: spending all year sawing down the World Tree!

Join us as we explore the chilling regional differences:

• Greek Myth: Why do the Kallikantzaros try to force travelers to dance to death?
• Turkish Folklore: Learn the deadly verbal trickery of the Karakoncolos, which requires you to always use the word “kara” (black) or risk instant death.
• Bulgarian Tradition: How the Karakondžul’s influence gave rise to the massive, UNESCO-recognized Kukeri festivals.

We detail the bizarre protective rituals, from burning stinky shoes and scattering salt to the crucial act of counting holes in a sieve, used to keep these holiday horror creatures out of your home. This is the ultimate deep-dive into the ancient European folklore and Christmas monsters you need for the winter season.

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