The Black Prince (කළු කුමාරයා Kalu Kumaraya) was an ancient Sri Lankan prince. He was greedy, hedonistic and drunk on power. He also stalked girls. He plotted to kill his father and steal the kingdom. When he failed, he took his own life.

The prince was cursed to roam the Earth as a demon. His bad habits persisted, and he started haunting girls. He appears as a dark, handsome young man. After luring his victims with his good looks, he kills them by slitting their throats. Other times, he possesses them, which causes them to manifest physical changes and unexplained injuries.

This is the original tale.

Sri Lanka is rich in ghost lore, haunted places, superstitions and traditional ghostbusters. Folklore has merged elements from Buddhism and Hinduism, and there are variations depending on the province. Some beliefs and practices are highly prevalent in rural villages.

There are types of spirits, both good and bad. The higher spirits are the ones called "gods", and Hindu deities are venerated as well. The story universe I've built will not include gods, since that would involve deities from a world religion.

There are two main types of demon (යකා yaka):

1. Malevolent demons: Since their king has forbidden them to directly kill humans, they resort to other means of inflicting suffering. They feast on offerings made to appease them, as well as carnage, disease and misery. However, they cannot actually eat these, so it is unknown exactly how they sustain themselves. They are said to have protruding eyes, hanging lips and teeth like sickles. Sometimes they wear venomous snakes, especially cobras. They are invisible to humans, but can become visible by taking human or animal forms.

2. Peaceful demons: They are called dewatawas—a word used to refer to both lesser gods and higher demons. These demons are not hideous, and they live in fancy palaces high up in the sky. They are wise, powerful and do not pose a threat to humans. These demons are said to be golden-hued and eat ambrosial food.

The malevolent demons are sub-divided into four, depending on what they crave—bili (sacrifices), bali (offerings), revelry and inflicting death (such as a fatal disease).

There are two kinds of bali offerings made to appease demons—Roopa Bali and Ambum Bali. Roopa Bali ("picture offering") involves the depiction of planets, gods or demons on a canvas cloth or paper. Ambum Bali ("sculpture offering") is that on clay. These rituals are elaborate—for instance, using specific types of clay. Other offerings involve food, and they have to be given at times depending on the demons' preferences.

There are other spirits frequenting the human realm. A preta is a minor ghost that is unfavorable because it's greedy and attracted to food, especially fried stuff and that of animal origin. Because of this, there's a superstition that it's bad to fry food out in the open, especially at night.

Rituals to get rid of supernatural entities can range from large-scale public events to private family affairs. These are semi-religious cultural practices that can be both exorcism and healing rituals—since demons are thought to be behind many diseases and misfortunes. They are primarily conducted by a shaman/exorcist known as yakadura—also called yakdessa or kattadiya.

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Exorcism rituals:

These elaborate events start with purification and various ritual ingredients. Preparations can take days. For example, water might be sourced from a specific well, and an altar is constructed of areca palm fronds and coconut flowers. Gurulla leaves (bandicoot berry) are also used, since they are thought to have a connection with demons.

Before starting the ritual, incense and flowers are used to attract good spirits to the occasion. Food items are often laid out on the altar to appease the bad spirit. The yakadura might inform the client that the demon requires sacrifice (animal or human), but he will always negotiate a doable substitute that doesn't involve killing.

In the "low country" (coastal) areas, yakaduras don an artsy mask, which differs according to the demon. Then they would act possessed and engage in dance, mime and acrobatics to drive away the demon (an actual dance form in Sri Lanka). This exorcism/healing ritual is called a tovil, and there are many types depending on the problem and the demon they hold responsible for it.

Inferior demons: These are called mala yakas—they come into being when humans die after committing evil acts or harboring hatred in their hearts. There are a few other demons that fall into a different type: Gara Yaka (harmless) and Dewala Yaka.

House Demon: These are innumerable spirits who lived and died in the houses they now haunt. They belong to the mala yaka class and have become demons due to the greed in their hearts. They make noises such as clashing pots, footsteps, creaking doors and jingling coins.

Treasure demon: Demons known as bahirawayas guard hidden treasure. A yakadura has to be hired to negotiate with the demon and expel it from the site.

Curses & Black Magic: These are known as sapa and hooniyan. In order to curse someone, one must seek a specialist in this area. The price and ingredients vary according to the severity of the curse. Ingredients can include human ashes, spices (mustard), types of sand and snake eggs. They can be sourced from graveyards, apothecaries, forests and even imported. Cursed sand might be sprinkled on the victim's garden. Villagers might keep an eye out for foreign sand and baby snakes to protect themselves from hooniyan.

Well-known ghosts and demon characters from folklore will be listed out further down, since these might contain spoilers. If they intrigue you when you're reading, hop back here later to learn more!

Ancient Sri Lanka (before 500 BCE) was home to four tribes—Yaksha, Raksha, Naga and Deva. They were blacksmiths, farmers, traders and rulers respectively. The Naga people worshipped serpents, and according to legend, they were super-humans who took the form of snakes and lived underground. The Yaksha tribe worshipped spirits.

In modern times, Deva, Raksha and Manusya are classes assigned to people in their horoscopes. Only those who are Manusya are said to have the ability to see ghosts.

The ancient population possessed healing arts, which is known as Ayurveda. Therapies include complex herbal medicines, special diets, meditation, yoga, massage and medical oils. It even made use of rasashastra, a practice similar to alchemy. To this day, there are Ayurvedic doctors in Sri Lanka (even an entire hospital).

The most renowned king in this obscure part of history was Ravana. There are many legends woven around him. In the Indian epic, Ramayana, he abducts the goddess Sita. In Hindu literature, he is depicted as a demon king with ten heads and twenty arms.

However, in Sri Lanka, Ravana is considered to be a mighty monarch, scholar and inventor, who was also well-versed in Ayurveda medicine. He is said to have planted herbs from heaven and protected this garden with lions—the origin of the modern day rainforest, Sinharaja. The ancient stringed musical instrument, Ravanahatha, originated from him, and he is said to have played it at Ravana Falls, one of the biggest waterfalls in the country. He even invented a flying machine known as Dandu Monara ("peacock made with beams"). It is unknown if this machine actually existed, though Sri Lankan kings had advanced engineering, plumbing and irrigation technology, judging by stupas, manmade lakes and rock fortresses like Sigiriya.

The coalition of the prehistoric tribes occurred after the arrival of the Indian prince Vijaya (543 BCE), who became the island's first king in recorded history. This is the origin of the Sinhalese people.

Legend has it that Vijaya is the son of King Sinhabahu (Sanskrit for "lion hands/feet"), whose capital was Sinhapura ("lion city"). The location of this city is thought to be eastern India or present-day Malaysia or Thailand. Fun fact—Sinhapura is the origin of the name Singapore.

These events are found in the epic poem Mahavamsa (Pali "Great Chronicle"). It's the historical chronicle of Sri Lanka, written in the 5th century CE.

Makara: The Sri Lankan dragon. It's depicted as a sea monster with the head of a crocodile. It's a symbol of prosperity, often incorporated into stone carvings at the entrances of ancient temples and stupas.

Sri Lankan lion: Sinhala is derived from the Sanskrit sinha, which means "lion". This lion has an important role in the origin story of the Sinhalese people (refer to the section above). There are no lions in the country, but it is said that they existed in the past.

Devil bird: A creature that emits a blood-curdling shriek at night, which is an omen that portends death. It's now thought this might originally have been an eagle owl.

Naga: A race of serpent-like beings that are half-human.

Garuda: Also called Garula, this is a large, intelligent bird that is the enemy of the naga. They have magical ability and can take on a human form. Their dwellings are in silk-cotton trees.

Apsara: These are nymphs—female spirits of the water and clouds.

Kinnara: A being that is part human and part bird. They might be depicted with swan legs.

Asura: The Titans of Sinhalese mythology. These huge beings live under the mythical Mount Meru, which is also called Maha Meru, Sumeru and Sineru. This five-peaked mountain is sacred, and it is featured in Chinese and Burmese architecture, as well as Hindu, Jain and Buddhist temples. According to legend, the Asuras originally lived on one of the heavens (Tavatimsa), but they got drunk on sura (alcoholic drink), so the god Sakra threw them down to Mount Meru. Asuras can see gods, and the lesser ones could be malevolent (such as the corrupter Mara), thereby considered demons. They can be depicted with three heads and four or six arms.

Kuliradaha: A giant crab whose claw was used to create the war drum known as Alambara, which is in the possession of the Asuras.

Bherunda: A two-headed bird, often depicted in wooden carvings. It is said to have great magical ability.

● Astrology is culturally significant, and it's customary to consult horoscopes and astrologers before making big decisions. Events are held at auspicious times, whether it's a festival, wedding or housewarming ceremony.

● The "evil eye" (ඇස් වහ​ as vaha) is the bad luck that befalls a person when others admire or envy them. Those who are afraid of the evil eye would think twice about showcasing anything good or beautiful they might possess, lest they lose it.

● The "evil mouth" (කට වහ​ kata vaha) is the bad luck that happens when someone wishes it upon you. The same precautions as with the evil eye needs to be taken to avoid the evil mouth. In fact, the two are uttered together—"evil eye, evil mouth".

● Impending doom is signified by the cry of the golden palm civet (උලමා ulama), the sighting of a loris or even a dog's howl.

● Black dogs are the vehicles of Mahasona (මහසෝනා "demon of the cemetery"), the most feared demon in Sri Lanka.

● If a crow caws outside the house, it's heralding a visitor.

● The horn of a jackal is supposed to have magical properties (some jackals have a bony protrusion on their skull). It can act as an amulet, granting wishes and returning to the owner if lost.

● There are periods of astrologically predetermined bad luck (apala). The protective power of sura amulets can offset apala.

Mohini: A white-clad woman who appears on lonely roads with an infant in her arms. She targets young men and asks them to hold the baby while she adjusts her garment. As soon as the man takes the baby, she will kill him. According to another version, the traveler would develop a high fever and die.

Bodilima: This is the ghost of a dead pregnant woman. She is a Sri Lankan banshee, wailing loudly before throttling her male victims.

Hooniyan: This demon is mainly in charge of the curses known as hooniyan. He is the son of Susiri, the queen of Sagalpura in Madurata. He rides a horse and has six forms.

Abimana Yaka: The "pride demon" is short, so he is also called Kota Yaka. He was originally a prince, and his legs were cut off in battle.

Tota Yaka: This demon's name comes from the word තොට​ (tota), which means "port" or "quay". He haunts ferries and fords, and he casts his influence on men who venture close.

Anjenam Dewi: A female demon who aids in mirror-related divination, which is called Anjenam baleema. She is the chief of 700 other female demons.

Baddracali: A female demon who can assist in winning lawsuits and subduing enemies and rivals.

Riddhi: Seven female demons who bring disease on men.

Uda: There are many cruel demons of this name.

Kurumbera: Several demons who inflict disease.

Hanuma: A powerful demon of great cruelty.

Gopolu: He was originally a motherless boy who grew up by suckling a buffalo. One day, he drank all the milk without leaving any for his brother, and in the ensuing quarrel, he was killed. Gopolu became a demon and took residence in a banyan tree. Disease befell anyone who came close to the tree. All cattle sickness originates from him, so he is called the "cattle demon". He is also the cause of hydrophobia.

Morottu Yaka: The "demon of Morottu" is also called the Rata Yaka ("foreign demon"). He had arrived from the Malabar Coast and inflicted sickness on people. Eventually, the queen fell ill—the wife of King Prakramabahu VI (1410 CE). When his Royal College of Physicians couldn't heal her, he consulted learned men and found out that the Morottu Yaka was to blame. Only one yakadura knew the ceremony to appease the demon—Rata Yakuma. It was performed, and the queen was healed.

Mahasona: The "Great Cemetery Demon" (මහසෝනා) is the most feared demon in Sri Lanka, and he haunts cemeteries in search of human prey. Other haunting grounds include hills, rocks (surrounding himself with carcasses) and junctions where three roads meet.

He was originally a giant called Jayasena who lived in Ritigala in the 1st century BC. Gotaimbara, one of the Ten Giant Warriors under King Dutugemunu, defeated him in a duel and decapitated him. Mahasona had his head replaced with that of a bear, and he may appear in the form of a black dog. He is believed to kill people by crushing their shoulders and also by afflicting illnesses such cholera and dysentery.

Mahasona has 30,000 demons under his command and rides a hog. He can use various disguises, each time riding a particular animal such as a goat, deer, horse, sheep and elephant (Laysona, Amusona, Jayasona and other versions). At his full form, he is 122 feet (37 m) tall, red in color and has two pair of eyes and hands. He drinks the blood of a buffalo he carries in his right hand and holds a pike in his left hand. His favorite body parts are the entrails.

Reeri Yaka: The second most powerful demon after Mahasona. He is red in color, has the head of a monkey and rides a red bull. He can cause diseases—mainly hemorrhages and blood diseases.

He is said to appear before people on their deathbed. On these occasions, he would be dwarfish and hold a cock and a club. He would also have a human corpse in his mouth. This form is known as "Maru Avatar".

He has eighteen other forms that are called Ree Raja, Agu Raja, Pulutajja, Reeri Gopalla, Reeri Buddia and Reeri WatMaru Avatar Yakseya. There's another belief that these are actually different demons who work together.

Reeri Yaka is said to have more than a hundred human incarnations, including the son of a king named Sanka Pala, a son of the king of Lagal Pura and a female demon called Ginimuru Yaksani. He could not be controlled by the gods until the god Vishnu managed to bind him with a charmed jungle creeper.

Mahakola Sanni Yaka: The "Great Demon of Fatal Diseases" made the residents of Visala Maha Nuwara sick (ancient Indian city of Ujjain). In fact, even a mere glance was enough to cause sickness. The most powerful demons are said to have birthed in this city and that of Sankapala, which were attacked by demons on many occasions.

Mahakola Sanni Yaka emerged from the corpse or ashes of a queen of Wisala Maha Nuwara. The pregnant queen was wrongly accused of adultery and executed. According to the gruesome tale, the demon baby devoured the mother and grew up on graveyard carcasses. Later, he took revenge on his father by creating eighteen demons and wreaking havoc in the city. His murderous rampage came to an end with the interference of gods, though he was given permission to inflict disease instead.

The exorcism ritual to drive away this demon is known as Sanni Yakuma ("devil dance") or Daha Ata Sanniya. It involves eighteen masks—to correspond to eighteen maladies. This night-time ritual involves flame-throwing and dance (a dance form in Sri Lanka's low country).

Black Demon: He has ultra black skin, earning him his name. He is the son of Kuveni and King Vijaya (first Sinhalese king), though another account claims that he is the spirit of a giant known as Neela Maha Yodaya. According to the latter, the giant accompanied his king to an island called Istreepura ("land of ladies"), inhabited only by females. All these women fell in love with him, and he was torn to pieces in their grasp. This demon now wants to take revenge from all females.

Black Prince Dewatawa: A dark blue demon in black clothes who is always tormented by passion. If his gaze falls upon a woman, she falls ill. He is the son of King Boksella and Queen Sonalu. He's a civilized demon, and offerings to appease him should be of high quality, such as the best rice, plantains, sugar cane, king coconuts and cakes.

He can appear in seven forms, signified by different elements (handung "incense", andung "sooty eye smears", mai "flowers", gini "fire", dala "rough", sohon "graves" and wata "round"). According to one account, he was originally a prince who turned pious and gained superhuman powers, including flight. He fell in love with a princess while flying, which caused him to lose his power. He dropped from the sky and accidentally crushed her to death. He was so anguished that he also died on the spot and became a demon.

Bahirawa Yaka: This demon also has a preoccupation with females. While the Black Prince Dewatawa inflicts minor illness, Bahirawa Yaka's diseases bring about speedy death. His abode is said to be Bahirawa Kanda ("the mountain of the Bahirawa"), which towers up on one side of the city of Kandy. Apparently, there are seven other demons under this name, though they work together.

When a Kandyan queen kept miscarrying babies, the king was told that she was under the influence of the Bahirawa Yaka. A yearly sacrifice of a young girl was required to solve the problem. A stake was driven to the ground on the summit of the mountain, and when night fell, a girl was tied to it with jungle creepers. Flowers and boiled rice were placed on an altar nearby. The girl was found dead in the morning. When the king eventually stopped the annual sacrifice, the displeased demon inflicted disease on the royal family and citizens, until the city was almost depopulated within months. The sacrifices started anew.

Madana Yakseniyo: The "Female Demons of Lust" are seven sisters who provide assistance in seduction if they are given suitable offerings. Their names are Kama (lust), Gini (fire), Mohani (ignorance), Ratti (pleasure), Kala (maturity), Mal (flowers) and Puspa (perfumes).

These demons exert their influence on the target, so that simple actions become irresistible, such as brushing the person with the enchanted leaf of a king coconut tree, using a charmed ointment on the face or making the person chew charmed betel leaves. Love potion can also be mixed into food.

The most potent method is said to be the use of an oil called Madana Tayiley. This hard-to-make substance is so powerful that a single drop can be irresistible to a female. Men who attempt to make it can go insane.

Wessamony: This is the king of demons. He rules over all demons and brutally punishes those who break his laws. There are thirty two different punishments, which include boiling, roasting, impaling and pouring liquid metal down throats. He has a magical golden sword that can move lightning fast of its own accord.

Demons once freely attacked humans and ate them, but Wessamony put down law and order, so that demons had to inflict suffering in indirect ways such as possession and disease. On Saturdays and Wednesdays, the Yaksa Sabawa ("Demon Council") convenes. Each demon leader must report to Wessamony, and after the conclusion of the assembly, the demons engage in revelry and show off their abilities.