Obour

 

The Bulgarian obour is a unique entity in the realm of vampiric folklore. Born from the sudden demise of a murdered individual, this creature’s reign of terror begins as an ethereal spirit, later evolving into a corporeal revenant. The initial days after the burial witness the spirit, resembling a corpse candle, wreaking havoc in the community. Its manifestations are diverse - from consuming milk and blood directly from cow udders, creating mischievous moving shadows, desecrating holy relics with fecal matter, to causing loud disturbances. However, the obour's existence isn’t eternal. For a span of 40 days, it can be bottled and destroyed by a specialist known as DJADADJII.

This intricate process of bottling, as described by Montague Summers in "The Vampire: His Kith and Kin," involves a sorcerer wielding an icon, lying in wait for the vampire. Once sighted, the sorcerer chases the vampire, driving it away from shelter with the talisman until the creature seeks refuge in a specially prepared bottle containing its favorite food. Trapped, the bottle is sealed with a fragment of the icon and cast into the fire, thus annihilating the vampire eternally.

The vampiric entity from Bulgaria known as the krvopijac is synonymous with the obour and embodies the fear of indulgence during sacred periods. A person who consumes wine or smokes during Lent is believed to transform into a krvopijac upon death. This transformation is not immediate, as the being remains dormant in its grave for 40 days, allowing its bones to metamorphose into a solid structure. Once animated, the krvopijac is distinguishable by its singular nostril and a barbed tongue, though it doesn't possess the quintessential fangs. Unlike its counterparts, the krvopijac isn’t innately malevolent. Nonetheless, if it turns violent, a black foal ridden by a virgin can discern its resting place, after which wild roses and a DJDADJII’s expertise can lay it to rest.

While vampires have achieved universal infamy, these specific entities from Bulgaria bring forth the intricacies of local myths and beliefs, reminding us of the vast and diverse world of the undead.

The Obour on TikTok 

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