Shtriga

Lore & Background

According to legend, only the shtriga herself could cure those she had drained, often by spitting in their mouths; those not cured inevitably sickened and died. The name can be used to express that a person is evil. In Northern Albanian folklore, a woman is not born a witch but becomes one, often because she is childless or made evil by envy. A strong belief in God could make people immune to a witch. Shtriga were usually described as old or middle-aged women with grey, pale green, or pale blue eyes (called white eyes or pale eyes) and a crooked nose. Their stare would make people uncomfortable, and people were supposed to avoid looking them directly in the eyes because they have the evil eye. To ward off a witch, people could take a pinch of salt, touch their eyes, mouth, heart, and stomach, and throw the salt into flames while saying certain phrases. In some regions, garlic was used, or a puppet was placed in a house being built to catch the evil. Newborns, children, or beautiful girls were said to catch the evil eye more easily, so people might say 't’rujt Zoti' (may God keep you safe) and touch the child's nose.

Reader's Guide

The shtriga holds a significant place in Albanian folk belief as a supernatural predator, particularly threatening to infants and children. Its dual nature—as both a blood-sucking vampire and a shape-shifting witch—reflects a fusion of Latin and local traditions, with the name deriving from the Latin strīga. The shtriga's lore includes various protective measures, such as salt rituals, garlic, and religious invocations from both Catholic and Islamic traditions, indicating its deep integration into Albanian cultural and religious life. Edith Durham recorded methods like using a cross of pig bone at a church entrance on Easter Sunday to trap and kill a shtriga, or creating an amulet from a silver coin soaked in its regurgitated blood. The shtriga has also appeared in modern popular culture, including episodes of Supernatural, Lost Girl, and Legends of Tomorrow, as well as in the video game Resident Evil 8, where similar insect-shape-shifting vampires appear. This enduring presence in contemporary media underscores the shtriga's lasting impact as a figure of horror and folklore.

Did You Know?

• The Albanian word shtrigë derives from the Latin strīga, meaning 'evil spirit, witch.'
• According to Northern Albanian folklore, a woman becomes a shtriga, often because she is childless or made evil by envy.
• A cross made of pig bone placed at a church entrance on Easter Sunday could trap a shtriga inside, allowing it to be killed.