Gallinipper (mythology) explained
The gallinipper is a cryptid in the African-American folk tradition.[1] These creatures were said to be a species of giant mosquitoes so big that their bones could fence a 140-acre field.[2] [1] A popular telling of the legends has the creature get its bill out of a tree trunk, with the animal being large enough to clear 140 acres of land during the struggle.[3] [1] [4] Gallinipper tales were appropriated as a feature of minstrel shows, but have also appeared in American blues songs such as "Mosquito Moan" by Blind Lemon Jefferson [Paramount 12899], 1929.[5]
Notes and References
- Dorson . Richard M. . Negro Tales . Western Folklore . 13 . 2/3 . 160–169 . Western States Folklore Society . 1954 . English . 1520611 . 10.2307/1520611.
- Book: Justus, James H . Fetching the Old Southwest: Humorous Writing from Longstreet to Twain . University of Missouri Press . 2004 . 391–394 . English . 9780826264176.
- Fauset . Arthur Huff . Arthur Fauset . Negro Folk Tales from the South. (Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana) . . 40 . 157 . 261 . American Folklore Society . 1927 . English . 534988 . 10.2307/534988.
- Ancelet . Barry Jean . Barry Jean Ancelet . Talking Pascal in Mamou: A Study in Folkloric Competence . Journal of the Folklore Institute . 17 . 1 . 1–24 . Indiana University Press . 1980 . English . 3814219 . 10.2307/3814219.
- News: Waymer . Jim . 'Giant' mosquito invasion? Nope, just another Florida critter . Florida Today . . English . Gannett Co., Inc. . June 13, 2013.
