Great questions and discussion. Let me put my $0.02 worth into the mix:
To my view, before we can begin to discuss whether vampire mythology might have meaning in any other context than that of "uneducated" fiction and superstition, we must first begin by QUESTIONING whether that which we today consider a "vampire" matches that of the original mythology. And when even a cursory examination is done on the original Slavic (Eastern European and Russian) accounts, it becomes glaringly apparent that the actual mythology varies greatly from the blood-drinking, asexual, "undead" creatures of modern Hollywood-esque fiction.
So let's back up a bit first and take a look at what the actual Slavic peoples, even in contemporary times, view as vampiric. Only once we have established WHAT to look for can we then consider any possible relevancy of such myths in the modern world.
In the best great books written on the actual Slavic historical accounts, and as I have outlined well on my own profile page, the Slavic vampire (the one and only actual vampire archetype) was not a daylight or crucifix- fearing creature, did not have fangs, and did not thirst for blood at all. Additionally, it did not feed off of life energy, either. These LATER traits were added by fiction writers and then exploited by Hollywood. So if we're going to examine the mythology for relevancy in today's world... or even attempt to identify fact from mythologic fiction... we must start by first identifying WHO and WHAT the Slavic Vampire was!
While not herself a Slavic scholar or degreed vampirologist, Rosemary Ellen Guiley is still one of the better compilers of the research and original vampire myths of those who are. She has written numerous books on vampires, including my own favorite of hers "The Complete Vampire Companion."
In an online article available to all here, she wrote of how the actual Slavic peoples in contemporary times view vampires... and most telling of all, what they consider even today to be the actual traits of a vampire. And guess what... no blood drinking, no fangs, no fear of crucifixes or daylight, etc., are found there. Instead, the actual Slavic Vampire of true Slavic lore was primarily known for one trait only: their "sexual insatiability."
Here follows an excerpt from the previously mentioned online article:
"Our film and fiction have molded our perceptions of vampires. We think of them as undead and supernaturally powerful people, who perhaps are fabulously wealthy (and attired in French lace), who prowl about at night and drink blood, and who are seductive and always dangerous. But centuries ago, vampires were seen in much different ways. They were the restless dead who stalked the living for sex and life itself. They brought plagues, death and a host of evils, and they behaved more like poltergeists and incubi than Dracula or Lestat."
She then describes how modern-day (20th Century) Slavic peoples view vampires and how the ACTUAL Slavic popular image of the vampire -- based upon the REAL vampire historical accounts -- influenced how criminals in the area acted in portraying "vampires" to get what they wanted.
"... But the most common vampire fraud by far was as a cover for illicit love affairs. It was widely believed that vampires were sexually insatiable and would return from the grave to have sexual relations with their spouses, other family members, and anyone else they could find. Women engaged in affairs who became pregnant passed off their children as the offspring of 'vampire husbands.' Villagers often were too frightened to ask questions or investigate.
One such case in Baja, Serbia (now in Hungary) involved a man who donned a white shroud threaded with bells, a white cap and white socks, and paid nighttime visits to a widow who had just lost her husband... On most nights he was seen at midnight around the home where the widow lived with her in-laws. When he arrived, everyone in the household was so frightened that they fled, leaving just the young widow alone in her bed – but not quaking in fear, as it soon was revealed. After his visits, the vampire would depart with much bell ringing, clanking, loud cries and rattling to imitate noises associated with the walking dead..."
Notice that the villagers, seeing this man dressed in a white sheet, white cap, and white socks, were so convinced he was a vampire that they were "frightened" at his appearance and let him have his way with the widow! Why? Because this is exactly how the actual Slavic people believed vampires really looked and ACTED! No blood drinking, no black capes, no fangs... just an insatiable desire for sex!
Now, to make a long story short (and you can read the entire thing HERE, the "vampire" was eventually discovered to be the woman's secret lover and that they both had conspired to murder the woman's husband. Both were then put to death, themselves.
She then relates an additional example:
"In another case that took place during the Balkan Wars of 1912-1913, a farmer draped himself in a white shirt and white sheet and went round the villages for sexual liaisons with young women, introducing himself as a vampire. One night in the village of Zagradje, peasants chased him with guns and dogs, nearly killing him. Thus ended his career as a vampire."
As evidenced by the fact that such modern-day attempts to impersonate vampires in the Slavic lands were initially successful, this is how the actual vampire lore of Eastern Europe described and understood vampires to be. Thus, before we can even hope to find relevancy in reality of who and what the Slavic Vampire truly is and was... we must first go back and re-examine who and what they really were in the original Slavic accounts.
Until we start recognizing the true traits of the Slavic vampire and start examining the actual historical accounts for factual relevancy instead of foolishly believing the fictions of Hollywood and novelists to be the true vampire lore of history, the entire point to this discussion will forever remain impossible to grasp, much less pursue.
