Snallygaster
Definitely enjoying the odd names on a lot of these creatures. This one really caught my eye. I mean, Snallygaster sounds like something out of a Monty Python sketch or Dr Suess book. Yet, it’s not. So, what is it?
Found in Frederick County of Maryland, this is a flying creature that is supposedly a mix of dragon and bird. It was originally seen in the 1730’s by German settlers who named it Schneller Geist or ‘quick spirit’. Back then, it had demonic parts added to the dragon/bird combination, which is why seven-point stars were painted on buildings to ward it off. It would go on to have a metallic beak with sharp teeth and tentacles added to its visage. In 1909, it would be given curved talons and a single eye in a newspaper article. They also said it screamed like a locomotive.
It was said that the Snallygaster would silently swoop down to take children and farm animals. Then, it would suck their blood. Simple as that, but still fairly frightening if you’re living in the 1700’s.
There is a natural enemy of this cryptid. It is a bipedal mammal called the Dewayo and they’ve fought many times. This creature is said to be a wolf that walks to a man. It is said to have come from the Pennsylvania Dutch lore, but it shares similarities to a German creature called the Hexenwolf. It is interesting that we have two cryptids who are linked by a violent rivalry. You see that a lot in ancient folklore, but it’s the first time I’ve seen one that’s only from the last few centuries.
There is evidence that the Snallygaster was revived in lore in the 19th century to scare newly freed slaves. Using folklore creatures was apparently common, so the Snallygaster was said to go after black children at night. This would prevent African Americans from going out, especially at night. It also stopped their immigration to other areas by creating a lot of fear towards the supernatural. So, the legend of the Snallygaster was utilized to push a racist agenda, which is sadly not uncommon in our history. Taking ‘innocent’ things and twisting them into hateful ones is something that we can all think of even modern examples of.
So, what do you think about that last section? Any other examples that come to mind about an innocuous symbol being repurposed for hate? I’m saying swastika right now to get the obvious out of the way.
Legends of Windemere 
Wow! I never heard of this! The racial aspect is sad. 😔😔
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I know. Didn’t expect that when I chose it.
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Great name, scary monster! Actually cunning women (herbalists, healers) were repurposed into witches for hate.
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Yup. Lots of groups have been scapegoated over the centuries. Rather messed up.
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Pretty scary creature. Sad that it was used in such a manner.
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True. Though it seems the origin was racist instead of a shift.
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It’s shocking and sad that something can be repurposed for hate. Still, it’s not a nice beast to begin with.
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It does kind of make sense in a way. Many times, these creatures are created to make people afraid of doing things or going places. So, they can easily get repurposed to do the same to specific groups.
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I had hear of this one before. I think Mae Clair did a post about them years ago.
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Cool. There was a lot more info out there than I expected.
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That’s a complicated origin, all right. I wonder what the original people in the 1730s actually saw. I wish I could be surprised that whites used it to continue controlling blacks even after they were freed.
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The original name in German meant ‘Quick Ghost’. My guess is it was a fast animal in the woods like a bird or bat. The American ones was probably based around a gator.
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Sorry if I’m not seeing it, but where did you find the info for the origins of the Snallygaster?
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Various websites that I checked. Usually ended up being a rabbit hole situation.
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An article on Atlas Obscura was the big one.
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