Introduction

The Sasabonsam and Asanbosam are vampiric, tree-dwelling creatures from the folklore of the Ashanti people in Ghana, as well as Togo and Côte d’Ivoire. They are described as blood-drinking monsters that prey on humans, particularly hunters, travelers, and those who venture too deep into the forest.

These creatures are distinct from the Obayifo, a living vampire associated with witches, as Sasabonsam and Asanbosam exist independently as supernatural predators. While both creatures reside in trees and ambush their victims from above, their physical features and abilities differ:

• Asanbosam is humanoid, resembling an ogre or troll, with iron teeth and hooked feet used for hanging from tree branches.
• Sasabonsam is more bat-like, with short arms, a grotesque, emaciated body, and massive bat-like wings capable of flight.

Both creatures instill fear in Akan communities and are associated with witchcraft, sorcery, and the spiritual laws of the forest.

Etymology & Origins

• The name Sasabonsam is derived from “Sasa”, meaning a restless spirit, and “Bonsam”, meaning a male sorcerer or demon.
• The name Asanbosam (also spelled Asasabonsam) is closely related but emphasizes its tree-dwelling nature.
• Both creatures are deeply embedded in Ashanti folklore, with some colonial-era scholars misidentifying them as demons or even real cryptids.

Physical Description

Asanbosam (The Iron-Toothed Tree Dweller)

• Humanoid in shape, but larger than an average human (some sources describe it as ogre-like).
• Iron teeth, used to bite through flesh and tear out throats.
• Hooked legs, allowing it to hang upside-down from tree branches like a bat.
• Long, clawed fingers, used to snatch prey from below.
• Red or brown fur, sometimes described as spotted or hairless.
• Slow and clumsy on the ground, but fast and agile in the trees.

Sasabonsam (The Bat-Like Vampire)

• More monstrous and bat-like than Asanbosam.
• Short, stubby arms, disproportionate to its body.
• Huge bat-like wings, with a wingspan of up to 20 feet.
• Twisted legs or clawed feet, allowing it to perch on trees.
• Emaciated body, often described as skeletal.
• Large bloodshot eyes, said to glow in the dark.
• A bearded human-like face, sometimes with pointed ears or horns.
• Black-and-white spotted skin, in some accounts covered in scales.
• Long iron teeth, similar to Asanbosam.

Behavior & Hunting Tactics

Asanbosam

• An ambush predator, waiting in the treetops for prey to pass below.
• Uses its hooked feet to hang upside-down, dropping down to attack.
• Rips out the throats of victims with its iron teeth.
• Only comes to the ground when necessary, as it moves clumsily.
• Highly territorial, attacking any intruders into its domain.
• Feeds on human blood but also eats flesh in some myths.

Sasabonsam

• Even more dangerous than Asanbosam, as it can fly and stalk victims from the air.
• Swoops down silently, using its clawed hands and iron teeth to drain blood.
• Said to emit a deep, bat-like cry before attacking.
• Sleeps inside tree hollows during the day, only emerging at night.
• More intelligent than Asanbosam, sometimes hunting in pairs.
• Capable of hypnotizing victims with its glowing red eyes.

Supernatural Abilities & Associations

Asanbosam

• Iron Teeth & Claws: Said to be unbreakable, granting it an almost invulnerable bite.
• Tree Acrobatics: Moves swiftly and effortlessly through the treetops, making it almost impossible to escape.
• Regeneration: Some myths claim that Asanbosam can heal rapidly, much like a troll.

Sasabonsam

• Flight: Can glide or fly, making it an even more formidable hunter.
• Hypnotic Gaze: Said to paralyze victims with fear.
• Shape-Shifting: Some myths suggest Sasabonsam can disguise itself as a normal bat before attacking.

Spiritual & Magical Significance

• Associated with witches (Obayifo) and sorcerers in Ashanti belief.
• Some Ashanti shamans and priests invoke their power for magic, both for protection and destruction.
• In Jamaica, Sasabonsam became linked to Obeah, the Afro-Caribbean spiritual practice.
• Shrines dedicated to Sasabonsam exist in Ghana, where offerings are made to ward off attacks.

Historical & Cryptid Sightings

1918/1928 Sightings

A notable cryptid encounter was allegedly recorded in Ashanti, Ghana, where:

• A man named Agya Wuo reportedly killed a Sasabonsam in the forest.
• The creature was taken to a village, where it made a moaning noise before dying.
• Its body was allegedly photographed by District Commissioner L.W. Wood on February 22, 1928.
• When questioned later, Wood was uncertain if he had taken the photo, casting doubt on the story.

Some cryptozoologists believe this was a genuine sighting, while skeptics suggest a misidentification of a large bat or primate.

Similar Creatures in Mythology & Cryptozoology

Modern Influence & Popular Culture

• British Museum Collection (1935): A wooden carving of Sasabonsam is displayed.
• Literature & Films:
  • *Marlon James’ Black Leopard Red Wolf (2019) features Sasabonsam as a terrifying monster.
  • *Natasha Bowen’s Skin of the Sea (2021) incorporates Sasabonsam into African fantasy.
• Gaming & Horror Media:
  • Inspired the design of vampires and flying humanoids in horror games.

References

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3. Heuvelmans, Bernard (1980). Les Bêtes Humaines d’Afrique. Plon. ISBN 978-2259005609.
4. Danquah, Joseph Boakye (1939). Living Monster or Fabulous Animal? West African Review, 10.
5. Williams, Joseph John (1934). Psychic Phenomena of Jamaica. New York: Dial Press.
6. Williams, Joseph John (1932). Voodoos and Obeahs: Phases of West Indian Witchcraft. New York: L. MacVeagh, Dial Press, Inc.
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13. Morrish, Ivor (1982). Obeah, Christ and Rastaman: Jamaica and its Religion. Cambridge: James Clarke.
14. Olmos, Margarite Fernández & Gebert, Lizabeth Paravisini (2003). Creole Religions of the Caribbean: An Introduction from Vodou to Santería. New York & London: New York University Press.
15. British Museum (1935). Sasabonsam Figurine Collection. Accessed at: www.britishmuseum.org.
16. Zakheim, Nicole (2021). Sasabonsam Enforced the Rules of Renewal in West African Forests, Atlas Obscura. Accessed at: www.atlasobscura.com/articles/monster-mythology-sasabonsam.
17. J.G. Wood (1870). The Uncivilized Races of Man, Vol. 1. Hartford, Conn: American Publishing Company, p. 550.
18. Heuvelmans, Bernard (1986). Annotated Checklist of Apparently Unknown Animals With Which Cryptozoology Is Concerned, Cryptozoology, No. 5.