Tradition: Maltese mythology
Alternative Names: Wahx il-Baqar
Category: Cow
The Myth
Wahx il-Baqar is a terrifying man-beast with the head of a bull. It is said to emerge from the netherworld at night and roam through quiet country lanes and village streets.
Its arrival is announced by the loud rattling of chains. These chains are believed to be the remnants of the tethers that once bound the creature to the stone walls deep beneath the ancient underground of Minos.
As the creature wanders through the countryside, it releases a long and mournful howl. The sound is enough to terrify and panic farm animals, spreading fear among the surrounding villages.
Wahx il-Baqar possesses enormous eyes that are heavily afflicted and terrifying to behold. Anyone unfortunate enough to meet its gaze directly is believed to face almost certain death.
The creature is therefore a lingering echo of its dark confinement beneath the earth, retaining the chains of its former captivity as it wanders the world above. Its clanking chains, dreadful howl, and deadly gaze make it a being feared by villagers and travelers who are warned to avoid it at all costs.
Sources
Mifsud, S. D. (2014). The Maltese bestiary: An illustrated guide to the mythical flora and fauna of the Maltese Islands.