Chedipe (India)

The word “chedipe” in the Telugu language means “prostitute”, a fitting name for these seductive ghosts that possess a mix of characteristics from succubi, vampires and werebeasts.

Chedipe appear as alluring, nude women riding tigers on moonlit nights. Being shapeshifters, they can transform into tigers themselves. Their tiger forms are identical to real tigers, except for one detail—one of their legs keeps the shape of a human leg.

Although they attack humans, chedipe are timid in their approach. Even in their tiger forms, they instantly flee if their target retaliates. Also, if someone notices the human leg in their tiger form, they immediately revert to their female form and run away.

Chedipe are even less confrontational in their female form, often using surreptitious means to prey on humans. Those marked as enemies by a chedipe rarely realize she’s targeting them. Her typical hunting method starts with selecting a house and casting a spell on its occupants, so they fall into a deep sleep at night. While everyone sleeps, she enters the house and identifies the strongest man in the family or the one she hates. Once the victim is selected, she bites his toe and draws out his blood. She doesn’t kill him immediately. Instead, she returns every night to repeat the act until her victim eventually dies from the blood loss.

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