As we’re only a few months into a new presidential administration, I’ve been trying to remain current with news and policy changes. While browsing my news sources in recent weeks, a few headlines about Bigfoot, who is also known as Sasquatch, have caught my eye.
He does exist
Apparently, there have been several Bigfoot sightings in various parts of the country. The creature, whether fictional or real, has never sparked much interest or curiosity for me until now. Since it can be classified somewhat as an animal, I thought it would be fun to delve into the history of Bigfoot and learn more about the New York sightings.
For those unfamiliar with Bigfoot, it is a large, hairy, ape-like creature that resembles a yeti. Also known as the abominable snowman, yetis are legendary, ape-like creatures from Himalayan folklore that are supposedly found in northwestern America.
In recent weeks, people have claimed to have spotted Bigfoot in New York, specifically in Western New York, between Cherry Creek, Arkwright, and Cassadaga. There have also been reports in the Adirondacks as well as in Downstate New York, near the Hudson River. Sightings were predominantly by Schunnemunk Mountain State Park, extending to Harriman State Park. Beyond the New York region, Bigfoot sightings have recently been reported in Illinois and Massachusetts.
Apparently, there’s a history of people who have spotted Bigfoot and reported their sightings in the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization database. Described as a “comprehensive database of credible sightings and related reports, BFRO is maintained by an all-volunteer network of bigfoot/sasquatch researchers, archivists, and investigators in the United States and Canada. The archive is filled with reports, which detail the state of the sighting, the number of sightings (what they call listings on the site), and the most recent report.
At press time, New York had 120 sightings and the most recent were reported in 2022. Apparently, the recent sightings in Western New York, the Adirondacks, and Downstate New York, which popped up in the news, have not yet been reported to the BFRO.
Cryptids
Just a quick mention for context: Bigfoot is considered a cryptid – an animals or other being that cryptozoologists believe may exist somewhere in the wild, but whose present existence is disputed or unsubstantiated by science. Cryptozoology is a pseudoscience and has been widely critiqued by scientists. Many scientists have criticized the plausibility of cryptids due to lack of physical evidence, stating they are more likely misidentifications and misinterpretation of stories from folklore.
While biologists regularly identify new species following established scientific methodology, cryptozoologists focus on entities mentioned in the folklore record and rumor. Scientists attribute Bigfoot sightings to misidentified animals such as bears, or other large mammals, as well as folklore and people’s imaginations.
Family fun
I’ve never claimed to see a cryptid, but I have encountered another type of creature. When I was young, my family frequently visited our cousins in Deer Park, Long Island. Although it was more than four decades ago, I still remember how frightened my twin sister and I were when we witnessed handfuls of dirt being pelted at the outside of the house, specifically at the window in our cousin’s playroom. They told us that it was Long Island’s “dirt monster,” who roamed around at night scaring all who crossed its path.
Hawaii’s Menehune
Remembering the dirt monster and reading about the recent Bigfoot sightings sparked thoughts of other creatures I’ve heard about, fictional and real.
Before I relocated to Rhinebeck, I spent more than a year living in Hawaii for my husband’s job. Rather than experiencing Hawaii the way most do – flying in for one week and island hopping, I had plenty of time to learn about Hawaii’s rich history and culture.
I remember learning about the Menehune – a mythological race of dwarf people in Hawaiian tradition. According to the Manoa Heritage Center, Menehune are often described as small, dwarf-like, or of a pygmy race. Other histories and stories describe them as men.
It is of interest to note that with all the archaeological digs conducted in the Hawaiian Islands, remains have never been discovered to suggest the occupation of any area by a race of small people. Yet still, many Hawaiian sites are attributed to Menehune, and many families claim to be descended from Menehune.
Pele – the volcano deity
While living in Hawaii, I also learned about Pele, the Hawaiian volcano deity. Although she would not be classified as a cryptid, I wanted to share her story, too.
An article shared by Hawaii Volcanoes National Park cites that Pele is “an elemental force, and the creator of the state’s volcanic landscapes.” According to tradition, she is embodied by the lava and natural forces associated with volcanic eruptions.
According to oral history, Pele was born in the distant land of Kahiki and voyaged to the Hawaiian Islands in search of a suitable home. Various accounts place this journey sometime between 850 and 1250 AD. She migrated southeast through the islands, eventually arriving at her permanent home in Halema’uma’u crater at the summit of Kīlauea.
Ancient Hawaiian oli, which are chants, state that the kuleana or “function” of Pele is to create new land and destroy what was once there. She is both destructive and creative in nature. For many Hawaiians, Pele is considered ’ohana, which is the Hawaiian word for family. In Hawaiian tradition, it is customary to ask Pele permission to travel through her land.
Iceland’s elves & trolls
Like Hawaii, Iceland also has a rich history of folklore and legends. Being a small, isolated island close to the Arctic Circle, the environment was the perfect breeding ground for tales of strange creatures and supernatural beings, according to an article by Áslaug Torfadóttir, which appeared on the Iceland Tours website. Influenced by the Nordic myths, Celtic fairy tales and, weirdly, Christianity, Icelandic folklore is unique and still plays a large part in the national identity.
Elves play a key role in Icelandic culture. An article on the BBC noted that 80% of Iceland’s population believe in elves. It cites that “stories of elves and the Hidden Folk have been around in Iceland for centuries. Their origins are thought to be from the Bible story of Eve’s ‘dirty’ children. Preparing for God’s visit to the garden of Eden, Eve washed and cleaned her children. However, she didn’t have time to get to them all and tried to hide the unwashed ones. God found out and cursed them to be forever invisible to man.”
“The Hidden Folk live in rocks and hills, and Icelanders are very respectful of their homes, often going as far as curving roads around rocks that are believed to be Elf houses. In any case, it doesn’t pay to annoy the Hidden Folk. They are known to be vindictive, and there are plenty of stories of them taking revenge on humans that have wronged them. One of their favorite tricks to play on humans is stealing their babies and leaving an old, cranky elf changeling in their place.”
Small toy elf house in Iceland, land of the elves and trolls
Serpent sightings
Back to cryptids … Selma is a lake monster that hails from Norway. One of Norway’s fjords, Seljordsvatnet, in the township of Seljord, near Oslo, is the home of this creature. According to the travel guide, Fodor’s, Selma is said to be “very large, with a long, snake-like body, a horse-like head, and flippers.”
Since Selma was first spotted and reported in 1750, countless sightings have been reported by locals. Scientists from the Oceanographic Institute of Bergen have even conducted expeditions to locate Selma. Although they captured sound recordings and blurry images, nothing definitive has resulted from the investigations.
Also in Scandinavia is the Kraken, a legendary sea monster from Norse folklore and mythology. The National History Museum in London cites that the kraken is usually depicted as an aggressive cephalopod-like creature capable of destroying entire ships and dragging sailors to their doom.
Sea creatures tend to be common. Over in Japan, there’s a snake-like being called tsuchinoko, which translates to “child of hammer.” There’s even a Pokémon card inspired by this scary creature. With no evidence that the tsuchinoko exists, it’s Japan’s equivalent to Bigfoot. According to reported sightings, the creature looks like a pudgy snake with a flattened midsection. Rather than slithering around, people believe the tsuchinoko inches forward in a slug-like manner.
According to The Japan News, there’s an annual festival in the Japanese village of Higashishirakawa in the Gifu Prefecture that invites people to search for the legendary snake-like creature. Participants and their families enjoy time together hunting for the mysterious beast. A prize if offered to whoever finds it.
Devils on this side of the Atlantic
Much closer to home in New Jersey is the Jersey Devil from the Pine Barrens area of South Jersey. It has been a part of New Jersey folklore for centuries, and has been the subject of numerous sightings, stories, and rewards offered for its capture.
According to the Pinelands Preservation Alliance, in 1938 the Jersey Devil was designated the country’s only state demon. It is described as a kangaroo-like creature with the face of a horse, the head of a dog, bat-like wings, horns, and a tail. For more than 250 years this mysterious creature has been said to prowl through the marshes of Southern New Jersey and emerge periodically to rampage through the towns and cities.
Although I don’t believe in cryptids, I do enjoy learning about the folklore of other cultures. Although the Bigfoot sightings in New York aren’t something I was ever particularly interested in, I thought it would be fun to cover them in this animal issue. I commend these cultures around the world for the unity and fun they bring to their people. I think we could all use a lot more levity and fun. •