Tradition / Region: Saint Lucia Mythology, Trinidad and Tobago Mythology, and Guyana Mythology
Alternative names: Moongazer
Category: Ghost

The Myth

The Phantome is an enormous spectre said to haunt lonely crossroads on nights of the full moon. Towering high above the road, it stands with its legs spread wide apart, silently gazing up at the moon.

Travelers who unknowingly attempt to pass beneath the giant risk a terrible fate. Disturbed from its moonwatching, the Phantome suddenly snaps its legs shut, crushing the unfortunate victim to death. Moments before attacking, it emits a shrill and chilling whistle—the only warning it gives.

The creature can render itself invisible. Even when unseen, its presence may be betrayed by the strange shadow it casts in the moonlight. Those who encounter it are advised to avoid passing between its legs and instead quietly walk around it. If treated with respect and left undisturbed, the giant spectre allows travelers to continue on their way.

However, mocking or distracting the Phantome is considered extremely dangerous. If angered and forced to turn its gaze away from the moon, it attacks in a far more horrifying manner, consuming the victim’s brain through the palm of its immense hand.

In Guyana, the being is often known as the Moongazer, a name derived from its constant fascination with the moon. Feared throughout the Caribbean, the Phantome remains one of the strangest spectres of local folklore—an invisible giant whose whistle echoes across moonlit crossroads while its eyes remain fixed upon the night sky.

Sources

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Phantome. In Wikipedia. Retrieved June 20, 2026, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phantome

The Myth

A Baccoo is a supernatural being found in the folklore of Guyana and Suriname. Descriptions of the creature vary, but it is often said to have an oversized head and a small body, with one half made of wood and the other half of flesh. Some accounts note that it lacks kneecaps, giving it an unnatural way of moving.

Baccoo are believed to exist in two main forms. Some serve humans—usually merchants or individuals seeking success—after a contract is made with them. Others roam freely, haunting the areas where they dwell. Those who keep a baccoo must feed it regularly, most commonly with milk and bananas.

When bound to a person, a baccoo may be sent to perform tasks. It can act as an invisible messenger, carrying information from place to place, or it may be used to torment others by throwing stones, starting fires, or causing unexplained disturbances. These acts are often attributed to unseen forces, though people familiar with the lore recognize them as the work of a baccoo.

The origin of the baccoo is uncertain. Some traditions connect it to the Abiku of Yoruba belief, a spirit associated with children who die before being named, commemorated through small wooden figures. Others trace it to the mmoatia spirits of Akan folklore. Over time, these influences blended, and the baccoo became a shared figure across multiple cultural traditions in the region.