Acheri

For the 17th century French Benedictine, see Luc d'Achery.

An Acheri is the ghost or spirit of a little girl who was either murdered or abused and left to die. Acheris are also referred to as "hill fairies." They are often depicted with dark or unnatural eyes, a skeletal appearance, and a skin dress. In their human form they are a young girl with long brown hair, and they will look pale. This does change through different cultures. They are talked about in Native American culture, and sometimes in Hindu culture. The reason for them to be existing in both cultures is because it is said that since the Europeans mixed up Native Americans with Indians from India, they both ended up with the legend just with different variations. (The Paranormal Site)

It is said that they sleep during the day in the mountains or hilltops and become active at night. They sing while playing a small tam-tam, and their voices are omens of the death of the person who hears it, or somebody (especially a child) close to that person. They are also said to bring disease to children (and sometimes others) who come in contact with them. The Acheri are also said to bring death to the elderly or other people who are quite ill. Legend says to protect yourself from their curse, one must wear a bright red ribbon or red string tied around one's neck. Alternatively, one may wear red clothes or pearls. (The Paranormal Site)

Native American Culture:

Chippewa tribes:

It is said that they sleep during the day in the mountains or hilltops and become active at night. They appear as a famine child and will not show their true form. They will only show it if they are cornered, and they will then run to their home. They sing while playing a small tam-tam, and their voices are omens of the death of the person who hears it, or somebody (especially a child) close to that person. They are also said to bring disease to children (and sometimes others) who come in contact with them. They will sometimes bring a child back into their house on the hillside. They will also attack adults if needed. The Acheri are also said to bring death to the elderly or other people who are quite ill. She doesn't even have to touch her victims but cast a shadow on them. (Helsing)

Legend says to protect yourself from their curse, one must wear a bright red ribbon or red string tied around one's neck or wrist. Alternatively, one may wear red clothes or pearls. These might not work, but it is the safest and only option. (Helsing)

References

1. André-François Ruaud, The dictionary of Fey, the Oxymoron edition, 2002.

2. Michael Page, Robert Ingpen, Encyclopedia of Things That Never Were: Creatures, Places, and People, 1987.

3. Latham, Robert Gordon (2010). Descriptive Ethnology – Vol II. Europe, Africa, India. Read Books Design (published 1859). ISBN 978-1-4455-4686-5.

4. McGowen, Tom (1981). Encyclopedia of Legendary Creatures. Rand McNally. ISBN 978-0-528-82402-9.

5. “Acheri.” Acheri | Facts, Information, and Mythology, 5 Sept. 1998, pantheon.org/articles/a/acheri.html.

6. The Paranormal Site, theparanormalsite.com/acheri/.

7. Pfeifle, Tess. “The Acheri.” Astonishing Legends, Astonishing Legends, 26 Sept. 2020, www.astonishinglegends.com/astonishing-legends/2020/2/16/the-acheri.

8. “Acheri, a Chippewa Legend.” The Scare Chamber, 24 Jan. 2022, www.thescarechamber.com/acheri/.

9. Helsing, Kyle Van. The Acheri, demonhunterscompendium.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-acheri_6.html.