"The History of Vampirism in Armenia: From Ancient Beliefs to Modern Folklore" by Carlo Coppola and Ilaria Tatò

«Վամպիրիզմի պատմությունը Հայաստանում. հնագույն հավատալիքներից մինչև ժամանակակից բանահյուսություն». Այս հոդվածը գրել է Կառլո Կոպոլան՝ համագործակցելով հայտնի իտալացի բժիշկ և գիտության հաղորդավար Իլարիա Տատոյի հետ։

Armenia, as is well known, is a land of ancient traditions and a crossroads of cultures between East and West. It preserves a rich heritage of folk beliefs that includes unique vampiric figures, unlike any others in the global folklore landscape. Armenian vampirism traces its roots to pre-Christian traditions and intertwines with the complex history of the Armenian people, forming a body of legends that stands apart from the more familiar European vampire lore.

The earliest traces of vampiric creatures in Armenian tradition date back to the pagan beliefs that predated the adoption of Christianity in 301 AD. During this period, Armenian cosmology was populated by malevolent spirits known as dev and vishap—dragons and demons capable of taking human form and feeding on the life energy of the living.

The earliest figure associated with vampirism is the Alk (Ալք o Ալք), a malevolent spirit that primarily posed a threat to pregnant women and newborns. According to folk traditions, the Alk could assume various forms—from that of a handsome man to that of an animal—and fed on the blood and breath of its victims.

With the adoption of Christianity as the state religion under King Tiridates III, many of the old pagan beliefs were reinterpreted through a Christian lens. Vampiric beings did not disappear, but were instead transformed into demons or damned spirits, often associated with people who had led sinful lives or died under tragic circumstances.

During this period, the figure of the Dakhanavar (Դախանավար) emerged, perhaps the most characteristic of Armenian vampire creatures. Unlike European vampires who typically bite the neck, the Dakhanavar attacked its victims by drinking blood from their feet. This peculiarity likely reflects ancient beliefs tied to purification rituals and the sacredness of the body’s extremities.

The Arab, Seljuk, and Mongol invasions between the 7th and 13th centuries brought new cultural influences that enriched Armenian vampiric folklore. In this turbulent era, vampire stories often mirrored collective fears related to war, famine, and plague.

The Gharandini became a recurring figure in narratives from this time: a vampire appearing as a beautiful woman who seduced lonely travelers, only to feed on their blood. This figure incorporated elements of both Armenian and Islamic traditions, demonstrating how folklore adapted to new cultural realities.

Under Ottoman rule, Armenian vampiric traditions underwent further transformation. Vampire stories often became vehicles for expressing cultural resistance and the fear of forced assimilation. The vampire began to symbolize not only a supernatural threat but also, symbolically, the foreign oppressor "sucking" the life out of the Armenian community.

During this time, belief in the Anakhtak also developed—spirits of those who had died violent deaths, returning to torment the living. These beings shared many traits with vampires but were more closely linked to concepts of justice and vengeance.

Armenian tradition developed a complex system of protections against vampiric creatures. Among the most common methods:

Religious amulets: Crosses, icons, and biblical verses were considered powerful deterrents

Protective plants: Garlic, hawthorn, and certain aromatic herbs were used to ward off evil spirits

Purification rituals: Incense and holy water were used to purify homes and people

Architectural protections: Sacred symbols were carved into doors and windows of homes

The Armenian Genocide of 1915–1923 marked a dramatic rupture in the transmission of folk traditions. Many stories and beliefs were lost as the Armenian people were dispersed. However, within diaspora communities, vampiric folklore took on new meanings—often used to process collective trauma and to keep cultural identity alive.

Armenian vampirism exhibits unique traits that distinguish it from the vampire traditions of other countries:

Diversity in modes of attack: While European vampires typically focus on the neck, Armenian ones attack various parts of the body.

Strong connection to motherhood: Many Armenian vampiric beings are specifically associated with threats to mothers and children.

Religious integration: Vampiric beliefs were more organically integrated with Christianity than in other traditions.

Today, traces of these ancient vampiric beliefs still survive within Armenian communities around the world, often passed down through family stories and oral traditions. In Armenia itself, with the renewed interest in national cultural heritage, scholars and anthropologists are documenting and preserving these traditions.