
Sasabonsam
Also known as: Asasabonsam
In the forests of Ghana, something with iron teeth and bat wings sits in the treetops, legs dangling like bait.
Ancient Ashanti oral tradition
Ghana and Ivory Coast forests
Human-sized with 20-foot wingspan
Predatory ambush hunter
Folklore
The Lore
The Sasabonsam is a vampiric creature from Ashanti and Akan folklore in Ghana and surrounding West African countries. Described as a tall, thin humanoid with iron teeth, bloodshot eyes, and large bat-like wings, it sits in the upper canopy of forest trees. Its legs dangle from the branches, and it snatches up anyone who passes underneath. Sasabonsam are closely linked with Asanbosam, a related tree-dwelling predator in the same tradition.
Body Type
Folklore Origin
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