Who are the karakonjule and kalikancari?

These terrifying and evil mythical creatures instilled fear in the bones of the entire population of Southeast Europe. Where do karakonjule or kalikancari come from?

Kalikancari (Greek: kallikantzaroi) are evil goblins believed to live in the underworld and come to the surface during the twelve days of Christmas, from December 25 to January 6, from the winter solstice for two weeks when the sun "stops" with its seasonal movement).

It is believed that the Kalikancars remain underground to cut down the Tree of the World, which will then fall together with the entire Earth. However, according to the legend, just when they are nearing the end of the cutting, Christmas dawn arrives and they are able to come to the surface to disturb the mortals - which is why they forget about the tree.

Finally, on January 6 (according to the Gregorian calendar), the Sun begins to move again and they must return to cutting. However, on their return, they see that the Tree of the World has healed during their absence, so they have to start all over again. It is believed to be an annual event.

Although there is no standardized description of the appearance of the Calicans, some Greeks imagined them as half-animals, mostly as males. They are said to resemble little, black devils, and there are theories that they have the appearance of a wolf. It was also believed that they were incarnated souls of ancestors, led by a "lame demon".

Unlike kalikancars, karakonjule are exclusively female demons with the image of an old woman with large nails and iron teeth, often with heads decorated with horns. They appear "on unbaptized days" (twelve days of Christmas) and then at night they ride every man who finds himself outside the house, while women scratch their faces, drown them in water or throw them from the hill, it was once believed. Severe physical torture lasts until dawn when the victim is released.

A Christmas cake called karakondžul is made in the area of ​​Gevgelija.

We share the belief in karakonjule with Bulgarians and Macedonians, and it is still maintained in the southern parts of Serbia. We inherited it from the Greeks, who believed in it in male form. Namely, karakonjule are a female form of night colloquia, to which sacrifices were offered around Christmas. There is a theory according to which the Greeks inherited the belief in these beings from the Slavs.