Adze
Field Report
The Adze is a vampiric entity from the Ewe folklore of Togo and Ghana. By day, it takes the form of a firefly, able to infiltrate homes through small cracks or keyholes. Once inside, it transforms into a human-like spirit that drains life force and blood from its victims — especially children — often blamed for illness or unexplained deaths. Adzes are also said to possess people, leading to madness or social misfortune. In modern interpretations, they are connected to ideas of witchcraft and psychological manipulation.
Classification
Type:Vampiric Spirit
Location:Togo and Ghana, West Africa
Traits:Firefly form, blood-drinker, possesses people
Threat Assessment
Danger Level: 9
First Reported: 1901
Sightings: 6
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Behavioral Patterns
It transforms into a firefly to infiltrate homes and feed on blood during sleep. The behavior is predatory but covert, operating primarily at night.
Folklore & Origins
Ewe folklore portrays it as a vampiric spirit that can possess people and feed on their life force.
Media Documentation
Appears in West African folklore studies and anthropological texts discussing vampiric entities. Occasionally mentioned in documentaries exploring global vampire myths. Media mentions are limited to folklore and ethnographic contexts.
Hoax Analysis
Most accounts of the Adze stem from West African folklore, particularly as a cautionary tale about shapeshifting spirits. There are no recorded hoaxes, but its role as a vampiric entity is understood to be allegorical.