TheSasabonsam, or sometimesAsanbosam,[1] orasasabonsam, is avampire-like folkloric being from theAkan people. It belongs to the folklore of the Akan of southernGhana, as well asCôte d'Ivoire,Togo[2] and 18th centuryJamaica from enslaved Akan.[3] It is said to haveiron teeth, pink skin, long red hair and iron hooks for feet and lives in trees, attacking from above.[1] In the forests of West Africa, there were rules of renewal, and the Sasabonsam would enforce these rules. They take up territory in the trees in the forests, where they live and feed on people that wander into their home. It becomes a territorial aspect for them.[4] While being humanoid, these creatures have bat-like features, including wings which can be nearly 20 feet wide.[5] A good representation can be seen from The British Museum with the Sasabonsam figure they have in their collection. It is carved out of wood and estimated to have been made in 1935.[6]
In mythology, it is usually portrayed as an archetypical ogre; according toA Dictionary of World Mythology:
...the hairy Sasabonsam has large blood-shot eyes, long legs, and feet pointing both ways. Its favourite trick is to sit on the high branches of a tree and dangle its legs so as to entangle the unwary hunter.
Both the ogre and vampire versions have iron teeth.
Names and descriptions of the creature vary slightly among various ethnic groups in the region.[7] TheAsante of Ghana called the iron-toothed tree dweller the asasabonsam.[7]
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