Boo Hag
Encyclopedia
A Boo Hag is a mythical creature in the folklore of South Carolina's
Gullah
culture. It is a regionalized version of the Hag
myth.
They have no skin, and thus are red. In order to be less conspicuous, they will steal a victim's skin and use it for as long as it holds out, wearing it as one might wear clothing. They will remove and hide this skin before going riding.
When a hag determines a victim is suitable for riding, the hag will generally gain access to the home through a small crack, crevice, or hole. The hag will then position themselves over the sleeping victim, sucking their breath. This act renders the victim helpless, and induces a deep dream-filled sleep. The hag tends to leave the victim alive, so as to use them again for their energy. However, if the victim struggles, the hag may take their skin, leaving the victim to suffer. After taking the victim's energy, the hag flies off, as they must be in their skin by dawn or be forever trapped without skin. When the victim awakes, they may feel short of breath, but generally the victim only feels tired.
An expression sometimes used in South Carolina is "don't let de hag ride ya." This expression may come from the Boo Hag legend.
It was also said that if a person placed a broom beside their bed before going to sleep it would prevent the Hag from riding them. Hags supposedly would be distracted by counting the straws of the broom and would not get to ride the person sleeping before the sun rose the next morning.
. The legend has also been the subject of song, and poetry.
In 2005, the Boo Hag becomes a character in a children's book called Precious and the Boo Hag
written by Patricia C. McKissack and Onawumi Jean Moss. In the story, the Boo Hag is said to be strange, tricky, and will do anything to get into the house. Precious, who's the main character, is told by her brother that the Boo Hag also, "...tries to make you disobey yo' mama!"
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
Gullah
Gullah
The Gullah are African Americans who live in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina and Georgia, which includes both the coastal plain and the Sea Islands....
culture. It is a regionalized version of the Hag
Hag
A hag is a wizened old woman, or a kind of fairy or goddess having the appearance of such a woman, often found in folklore and children's tales such as Hansel and Gretel. Hags are often seen as malevolent, but may also be one of the chosen forms of shapeshifting deities, such as the Morrígan or...
myth.
The legend
According to the legend, Boo Hags are similar to vampires. Unlike vampires, they gain sustenance from a person's breath, as opposed to their blood, by riding their victims.They have no skin, and thus are red. In order to be less conspicuous, they will steal a victim's skin and use it for as long as it holds out, wearing it as one might wear clothing. They will remove and hide this skin before going riding.
When a hag determines a victim is suitable for riding, the hag will generally gain access to the home through a small crack, crevice, or hole. The hag will then position themselves over the sleeping victim, sucking their breath. This act renders the victim helpless, and induces a deep dream-filled sleep. The hag tends to leave the victim alive, so as to use them again for their energy. However, if the victim struggles, the hag may take their skin, leaving the victim to suffer. After taking the victim's energy, the hag flies off, as they must be in their skin by dawn or be forever trapped without skin. When the victim awakes, they may feel short of breath, but generally the victim only feels tired.
An expression sometimes used in South Carolina is "don't let de hag ride ya." This expression may come from the Boo Hag legend.
It was also said that if a person placed a broom beside their bed before going to sleep it would prevent the Hag from riding them. Hags supposedly would be distracted by counting the straws of the broom and would not get to ride the person sleeping before the sun rose the next morning.
Boo Hags referenced outside South Carolina
While the Boo Hag is a product of Gullah culture, the legend has managed to become known on a wider scale. The legend has been used as an object lesson in stranger dangerStranger danger
Stranger danger describes the danger to children presented by strangers. The phrase is intended to sum up the danger associated with adults who children do not know. The phrase has found widespread usage and many children will hear it during their childhood lives...
. The legend has also been the subject of song, and poetry.
In 2005, the Boo Hag becomes a character in a children's book called Precious and the Boo Hag
Precious and the Boo Hag
Precious and the Boo Hag is a children's fairy tale by Patricia C. McKissack and illustrated by Onawumi Jean Moss. The story revolves around Precious, a young girl, who is left home, told by her mother to not let "nothing or nobody" into the house. Precious is unaware that the Boo Hag, a...
written by Patricia C. McKissack and Onawumi Jean Moss. In the story, the Boo Hag is said to be strange, tricky, and will do anything to get into the house. Precious, who's the main character, is told by her brother that the Boo Hag also, "...tries to make you disobey yo' mama!"
External links
- Ghosts & Legends Tour of Charleston
- Spooky Streets Contains a note regarding a link between racial inequality and boo hags.
- A ghostly bite of history Information regarding an ongoing theatre show, including a boo hag.
- Forum thread with a slightly different account of the legend
- Boo Hag Story