The Acheri

The Acheri

In Indian lore, the ghost of a little girl who brings disease, especially to children. The ghost lives on
mountaintops and comes into valleys during the night for revelry and to spread disease by casting its shadow
over victims. Children are protected from the acheri with AMULETS of red thread tied around their necks. Similarly,
in European lore, red charms protect against bewitchment and harm from evil spirits and witches.

This entity originated in both Eastern and Western Hemispheres. Due to the confusion of the term “Indian”, this
spirit can be found in Hindu mythology, as well as North American Indian folklore. In both cases, the Acheri takes
the form of little frail girl, with a pale, gray complexion, that enjoys human misery.
Coming down from a mountaintop in which it lives, the Acheri, enters settlements singing and dancing,
sometimes drumming. It takes pleasure in bringing sickness to children, by casting a shadow over them. “The
very touch of the Acheri shadow is like the breath of someone with a highly communicable respiratory disease;
infection occurs instantly, and spreads rapidly throughout the community.” [1]
It is believed, that the Acheri was once herself an ill child that died in pain and suffering. If one hears its singing,
it signifies the forthcoming of some incurable disease, resulting in death. [2]The only reported protection against
the Acheri is by wearing something red. Mothers would have their children wear red beads, rope, or have some
form of red colored embroidery weaved into their clothing. The color red appears to be a universal theme in
regards to protection against evil, since in European lore; red charms to ward off evil spirits and witches were
also used. [3]

The Acheri appears to be indestructible, however, there is a North American Indian (Chippewa) tradition that
says that wrapping the red cloth of a medicine woman around its neck will put it to rest. [4]In Hindu mythology, in
order for the Acheri to remove her sickness, she had to be appeased. This was done in two different ways.
Beating a brass dish vigorously would place the victim into a trance of dancing frenzy, in which the individual
would know what sacrifice will suffice. Another way is to make a portable alter which includes cakes and lights. It
is worshipped upon, and then placed in a remote location, in the hope that the Acheri will follow, ending its’
malevolent influence. [5]

References

1. ↑ Maberry, Jonathan. Vampire Universe: The Dark World of Supernatural Beings That Haunt Us, Hunt
Us, and Hunger for Us. Citadel Press: New York, 2006, p.5.
2. ↑ Alex. “Acheri”. http://everything2.com/title/Acheri, Accessed June 08, 2009.
3. ↑ Guiley, Rosemary G. The Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Spirits. Facts on File: New York, 1972, p.1
4. ↑ Alex. “Acheri”.
5. ↑ Longstaff, Thomas G.; Sherring, Charles. Western Tibet and the British Border Land. Asian
Educational Services: New Delhi, 1996, p.360.