The Gulyabani: The Terrible Flesh-Eating “Ghouls” of Turkish Mythology

In Turkish and Anatolian folklore, there is a creature that represents the ultimate nightmare of travellers and those living near ancient graveyards: The Gulyabani.

What is it? The name comes from the Persian "Gul-i Beyabani," meaning "Ghoul of the Desert/Wilderness." It’s described as a massive, foul-smelling entity covered in thick, reddish or yellow hair. In ancient Turkish beliefs, it’s not just a ghost; it’s a physical, terrifying being with one very disturbing trait: Its feet are turned backwards.

Habits and Sightings According to local legends and historical records (like the Lehce-i Osmanî from 1876), Gulyabanis are nocturnal. During the day, they hide in graves, only emerging at night to roam deserts, ruins, and cemeteries. They are known to attack lone travelers, either to consume them or to ruin them mentally and physically.

The Wrestling Ritual A unique aspect of this creature in Turkish culture is its human-like behavior. Sometimes, a Gulyabani will approach a traveler and engage in conversation. Eventually, it will challenge the person to a wrestling match. * If the human wins, the Gulyabani retreats into the darkness.

• If the human loses, they fall gravely ill.

The Blood-Sucking Myth In the most frightening versions of the tale, if a Gulyabani finds someone sleeping alone in a ruin, it will lick the soles of their feet until the skin becomes thin enough to bleed. It then drinks the victim's blood until they perish.

Connection to Other Spirits In Anatolian tradition, Gulyabani is often linked with the "Al Karısı" (the Red Hag). Both are known for their obsession with horses, specifically sneaking into stables at night to braid the manes of horses in intricate, impossible knots.

This isn't just a bedtime story for children in Turkey; it’s a deep-seated mythological figure that appears in everything from early Ottoman dictionaries to modern literature. It represents the ancient fear of the unknown that lurks in the desolate corners of our land.

Image credit: Gulyabani – Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons