Garkain facts for kids

The Garkain is a scary creature from Australian Aboriginal mythology. People say it lives in the thick jungles near the Liverpool River in the Northern Territory, Australia. This creature is part of old stories told by Aboriginal people.

The Garkain is said to have leathery wings. If someone wanders into its home, the Garkain will swoop down from the trees. It then wraps its wings around the person. The Garkain is known for its terrible smell. After it captures someone, it is said to eat their body. The person's spirit is then left to wander the jungle forever.

Parents tell the story of the Garkain to their children. It teaches them an important lesson. The story helps children understand why they should not use fighting or violence to solve problems.

Garkain in Books and Games

The Garkain has appeared in different books and games over the years.

Books and Art

• In 1971, a book called The First Sunrise: Australian Aboriginal Myths in Paintings was released. It was made by artist Ainslie Roberts and expert Charles P. Mountford. This book includes an Aboriginal story about Garkain the Recluse.
• Charles P. Mountford also gave a special bark painting of Garkain to the Art Gallery of South Australia in Adelaide. This painting was made around 1948 or 1949 by the Aboriginal community in Gunbalanya.
• The 1990 novel Blood Wings by Stephen Gresham also features the Garkain. In this story, the creature haunts a small town near the Florida Everglades.
• Garkain is also the name of a short story written by Samantha Henderson in 2009.
• Another short story called Garkain was written by Karl Brandt in 2016.

Video Games and Role-Playing Games

• The Garkain appears in a role-playing game called Penumbra. This game was made by Atlas Games.
• In The Witcher video game series, garkains are shown as a type of vampire. This popular game series is made by CD Projekt Red.

See also

• Drop bear, a funny made-up Australian animal
• List of vampires in folklore and mythology