Íslensku Jólasveinarnir: the Yule Lads of Iceland
On the evening of 11th December, Icelandic children place shoes on the sills of their windows, before they go to bed.
Madagascar Superstitions & Taboos: Fighting the Aye-Aye Fady
In some regions of Madagascar, it is considered fady to eat certain lemurs, meaning local taboos can actually act as a shield to protect specific species. However, aye-ayes appear to be the only lemur associated with fady leading to their persecution. How did the aye-aye end up drawing the short straw when it comes to local folklore?
The Bunyip: Australia’s Mysterious Man-eating Swamp Beast
Folklore is filled with tales of man-eating beasties and Australia is no exception, home to the dreaded Bunyip.
The Magic of the Fairy Glen: Merlin’s Hiding Place
Merlin, the Mage, slept in the land on two portentous occasions: once leading up to the birth of Arthur; the second just before, and well beyond, the death of the Once and Future King… Each time there was a mighty mythical beast involved – the Afanc and the Red Dragon.
British Legends: The Lust of Uther Pendragon, Merlin’s Prophecy and the Making of a King
The legendary Uther Pendragon was the father of Arthur Pendragon who was destined to become the greatest King of the Britons. Arthur would drive out the invading Saxons, bring peace to the country and build an empire in Europe.