Kalikangiaroi - A Heartland of Legends story

“Kalikangiaroi” (also called Skalapountari) are Cypriot fantasy creatures. Mischievous, funny-looking, thin, hunchbacked creatures, sometimes wearing a long pointy hat or even having big bat-like wings, Cypriots were terrified of Kalikangiaroi.
Kalikangiaroi hide in the depths of the earth all year long and rarely come above the ground. However, come Christmas day they surface and their crazy reign begins for 12 long days and nights. Their favorite pastime is to play pranks, tease and cause trouble to humans and create mayhem with the sole purpose of having fun! They playfully tease people by tugging at their clothes, scare them with their screeching voices or frighten domestic animals. One thing Kalikangiaroi loves more than teasing is a piece of “loukaniko” traditional sausage.
Traditionally the preparation of “loukanika” and other smoked meats takes place around Christmas and Kalikangiaroi will not go away unless they get their share of these delicacies. They will lurk on the rooftops to get a few hearty pieces. If the lady of the house doesn’t throw some pieces on the roof, they are ready to create havoc. In case they insist on staying after having the sausages, it means they are waiting for dessert, and everybody knows what they like best: “loukoumades” (also called “xerotiana”) which are round deep-fried dough balls, dipped in syrup.