Skin-walkers: Nightmare Witches from Navajo Myth

Unexplained Mysteries

Native American folklore has its fair share of monsters, but one chilling figure stands out: a being of pure malevolence with the ability to transform at will. Known as the skin-walker, these mysterious creatures are steeped in the rich tapestry of Navajo mythology, where their sinister presence sends shivers down the spine of those who dare to speak of them.

What makes them so terrifying? A look at their eerie abilities, haunting appearances, and the unsettling legends that surround them will leave no doubts as to why people in the United States are still claiming to see these creatures today.

What Are Skin-walkers?

Skin-walkers are mysterious supernatural creatures rooted in traditional Navajo folklore. In a nutshell, they’re malevolent witches with the ability to shapeshift, amongst other abilities. In particular, they’re known for their ability to don the skins of animals and other humans (hence their name) and adopt their forms.

This transformation isn’t perfect, however. Descriptions of Skin-walkers can vary but they are commonly associated with having sinister or unsettling features, in particular having “human” eyes rather than those of an animal. Modern interpretations also have them walking on two legs while in animal form and moving at supernatural speeds.

The Skin-walker is a creature of Navajo myth (Washington Matthews/ Public Domain)