Part Two: Accounts of 'wildmen' - their description and behaviours - are given by many different cultures around the world.
For many, these mysterious creatures are considered to be shy and elusive but others describe them as capable of abducting and assaulting humans.
For many, these mysterious creatures are considered to be shy and elusive but others describe them as capable of abducting and assaulting humans.
Different Cultures - Different Depictions
(Did you miss part one? Find it here: Bigfoot, the Yeti and other Cryptid Wildmen)
Not all depictions are of a positive nature. In the 1987 fantasy comedy film 'Harry and the Hendersons', a family hit a Bigfoot with their car while returning from a camping trip. Believing the creature to be dead, they bring it home and discover that not only is the creature very much alive still, but it is kind and friendly. Naming it "Harry", all mayhem ensues when the creature disappears after a failed attempt at returning him to the forest. In a subplot, a French game-hunter attempts to find and kill Harry.
Harry and the Hendersons ends on a feel-good note, with Harry returned to the forest, and it is implied by the appearance of several other creatures that Harry was part of a Bigfoot family. The film was a modest box-office success, but has gained a cult following over the years. It was followed by a sitcom which ran for three years - in the TV show Harry is adopted by the Hendersons, leading to 72 half-hour episodes of comedic hi-jinks.
In the film and sitcom, Harry is portrayed to be gentle, lovable and affectionate, and like a pet. However, this fictionalised character of Harry might be the complete opposite of the real Bigfoot species, if there are, indeed, real Sasquatches.
Harry and the Hendersons ends on a feel-good note, with Harry returned to the forest, and it is implied by the appearance of several other creatures that Harry was part of a Bigfoot family. The film was a modest box-office success, but has gained a cult following over the years. It was followed by a sitcom which ran for three years - in the TV show Harry is adopted by the Hendersons, leading to 72 half-hour episodes of comedic hi-jinks.
In the film and sitcom, Harry is portrayed to be gentle, lovable and affectionate, and like a pet. However, this fictionalised character of Harry might be the complete opposite of the real Bigfoot species, if there are, indeed, real Sasquatches.
Recreation of an Orang Pendek sighting. Differing accounts as to the behaviour and nature of "Wildmen" were given by the indigenous people of North America over the last few centuries. In some regions the creatures were considered demons or bad spirits who were not to be angered. They were attributed with supernatural powers, such as the ability to shape shift, possess human bodies and cause serious illness. These beings were called Skoocooms, and were also said to be cannibalistic. In some communities the Stiyaha (or Kwi-kwiyai) had reputations for carrying people away from their homes, and children were forbidden from talking about them after dark as they were considered a nocturnal race. In some stories these creatures have demonic red eyes and capable of sexually assaulting humans.
In more recent times, creatures like these have been considered responsible for killing livestock and family pets. The Yowie in Australia has been reported since the 1870's to have attacked domestic animals on properties, although many consider them attacks by dingoes.
However, many cultures and groups paint a different, similar picture to their local wildmen species. In some areas the creatures are considered benevolent, plant-eating beings who prefer to stay away from men, preferring to stay close to suspected small colonies of their own kind and conversing in a language similar to Mandarin. The Orang Pendek, a smaller version of Bigfoot that is said to inhabit rainforests in Sumatra, is said to be highly intelligent yet fearful of Men, preferring to hide and watch humans from bushes and foliage. Other similar creatures in Asia also are said to be wary of humans, seeing us as aggressive and destructive.
In more recent times, creatures like these have been considered responsible for killing livestock and family pets. The Yowie in Australia has been reported since the 1870's to have attacked domestic animals on properties, although many consider them attacks by dingoes.
However, many cultures and groups paint a different, similar picture to their local wildmen species. In some areas the creatures are considered benevolent, plant-eating beings who prefer to stay away from men, preferring to stay close to suspected small colonies of their own kind and conversing in a language similar to Mandarin. The Orang Pendek, a smaller version of Bigfoot that is said to inhabit rainforests in Sumatra, is said to be highly intelligent yet fearful of Men, preferring to hide and watch humans from bushes and foliage. Other similar creatures in Asia also are said to be wary of humans, seeing us as aggressive and destructive.
Still from video showing the alleged Yeren/Human hybrid. A disturbing aspect that some attribute to some hominid legends are reports of these creatures abducting and sometimes raping humans. A recent story comes from Sichuan Province, China where it is claimed a Yeren - the Chinese version of Bigfoot - reportedly abducted a woman and held her for some time, raping her repeatedly. Managing to escape and flee to her home village pregnant, nine months later, she gave birth to a boy who lived for 33 years confined to a small village nearby. He was strange-looking with features similar to a prehistoric man rather than modern humans. He was abnormally large and ape-like, and although he never spoke, he understood basic Chinese.
Not much is known about him, however video footage does apparently exist of him before his death, and sceptics cite he was born with a nuerodevelopmental disorder called microcephaly (small brain) that is characterised by abnormal head growth, poor brain function and a short life expectancy. These sceptics go on to claim that the mother made the Yeren story up, ashamed of having a retarded baby. However,there are no cases of microcephaly where the sufferer was tall.
What are we to make of this?
In the next instalment, we will look at the Yeti, a similar creature said to inhabit the Himalayas.
What are your thoughts:are these creatures (if they exist) benevolent?
Or in some cases have sinister motives towards humans?
Find part three here: http://www.theparanormalguide.com/blog/bigfoot-the-yeti-and-other-cryptid-wildmen-part-three
Not much is known about him, however video footage does apparently exist of him before his death, and sceptics cite he was born with a nuerodevelopmental disorder called microcephaly (small brain) that is characterised by abnormal head growth, poor brain function and a short life expectancy. These sceptics go on to claim that the mother made the Yeren story up, ashamed of having a retarded baby. However,there are no cases of microcephaly where the sufferer was tall.
What are we to make of this?
In the next instalment, we will look at the Yeti, a similar creature said to inhabit the Himalayas.
What are your thoughts:are these creatures (if they exist) benevolent?
Or in some cases have sinister motives towards humans?
Find part three here: http://www.theparanormalguide.com/blog/bigfoot-the-yeti-and-other-cryptid-wildmen-part-three
Please post your comments below!
Matty Sweeney has written many articles for The Paranormal Guide and has a interest in all things mysterious and macabre. Many of his articles explore unsolved mysteries, cryptozoology and UFOlogy.
Matty resides in the Riverland, South Australia, a place with a few mysteries of its own...
You can find more about Matty and his research at 'Marvels and the Macabre with Matty'
Matty resides in the Riverland, South Australia, a place with a few mysteries of its own...
You can find more about Matty and his research at 'Marvels and the Macabre with Matty'
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