Tradition: Laz Mythology, Russian Mythology
Alternative Names: Germakochi
Category: Monkey

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The Myth

Germakochi is a mysterious forest-dwelling creature from the mythology of the Laz people. It is described as a tall, hairy figure with a body that resembles a mixture of a human and a monkey. Living deep in the forests, Germakochi is curious about humans and sometimes approaches them, although its presence is feared. In earlier times, the Laz people were said to abandon their villages when they believed Germakochi had entered them.

Despite its frightening appearance, Germakochi is known for its curiosity and willingness to interact with people. According to tradition, the way to escape from it is to make a fire. The creature takes the fire but immediately bursts into flames, after which it flees toward the Black Sea and plunges into its waters. Its resemblance to the forest creature Ochokochi of Georgian mythology has also been noted, while some accounts compare it to the Kallikantzaros of Anatolian traditions.

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Sources

“Germakochi.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed October 20, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germakochi

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