la diablesse

noun Translated as ‘female devil’ from French, La Diablesse is a Caribbean Folklore Character who was born human but her dealings with the devil have made her a malicious shape-shifting spirit. To others, her poise, figure and dress make her seem beautiful. However, her hideous face is hidden by a large brimmed hat and her long dress hides the fact that one leg ends in a cow hoof- also she walks with one foot on the road and her cow's hoof in the grass at the side of the road. She can cast spells on her unsuspecting male victims whom she leads into the forest with promises of sexual favours. When in the forest, she disappears and the man, confused, lost and scared, runs around the forest until he falls into a ravine or river and dies.