Kallikantzaros

This article possibly contains original research. Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations. Statements consisting only of original research should be removed. (September 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Kallikantzaros" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (November 2014) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Kallikantzaros

Greek primer illustration of a kallikantzaros with goat legs and donkey ears
Grouping	Folklore
Sub grouping	Goblin
Other name(s)	karakoncolos, karakondžula, karakondzhol
Country	Greece, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania
Region	Southeastern Europe
Details	Shape-shifting

The kallikantzaros (Greek: καλικάντζαρος, romanized: kalikántzaros; Bulgarian: караконджул, romanized: karakondžul; Serbian: караконџула / karakondžula; Turkish: karakoncolos; or kallikantzaroi in plural) is a malevolent creature in Southeast European and Anatolian folklore. Stories about the kallikantzaros or its equivalents can typically be found in Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey, Serbia, Albania, Bosnia, and Cyprus. Kallikantzaroi are believed to dwell underground but come to the surface during the twelve days of Christmas, from 25 December to 6 January (from the winter solstice for a fortnight, during which time the sun ceases its seasonal movement)^{[citation needed]}.