OGRE
Know by Many Cultures
Sometimes Cannibalistic
They have little or no intelligence
An OGRE (feminine: ogress) is a large and hideous humanoid monster. OGRES are often represented in fairy tales and folklore as feeding on human beings and have appeared in many classic works of literature. In art, ogres are often depicted with a big head, abundant and hirsute hair and beard, a huge belly, and a strong body. Today, variants of ogres can be found in most modern fantasy games, and the term is also often applied in a metaphorical sense to disgusting persons who exploit, brutalize, or otherwise metaphorically devour their victims.
According to the folklore and mythology of the peoples of Northern Europe, an OGRE is a member of a race of large humanoid beings, fierce and cruel monsters, that eat human flesh. In some stories they are also shy and cowardly, and have little or no intelligence and cleverness, which makes it easy for men to defeat them. OGRES are sometimes said to be able to change shape at will into animals or objects, and they often dwell in marvelous palaces or castles, sometimes underground.
The female form of the OGRE is called an ogress and is generally associated with water. Like their male counterparts, OGRESSES have massive bodies and little intelligence. However, they differ in that they are often much less malicious towards humans.
In Scandinavian countries, the word "OGRE" is not used; instead, beings called TROLLS take their role in the fairy tales. TROLLS are considered to be the inhabitants of mountains or castles far away in the wilderness, where they hoard fabulous treasures (compare with the Irish LEPRECHAUN). Scandinavian fairy tales usually imagine TROLLS as gigantic creatures, often with monstrous features; although a south-Scandinavian tradition holds them to be a much more human-like folk, both in appearance and customs.
Many Japanese fairy tales inspired by mythology and religion include the ONI, a creature very similar to the OGRE. Momotaro ("Peach Boy"), is one example, including the appearance of blue, red, and yellow oni with horns and iron clubs.
Pygmy mythology includes the tale of Negoogunogumbar, an OGRE who devours children.
In the classic tale Puss in Boots, a cat outwits a shape-changing ogre. Other fairy tales with OGRES in them include Motiratika, Tritill, Litill, and the Birds, Don Firriulieddu, Snow-White-Fire-Red, Shortshanks, Thirteenth and Don Joseph Pear.
Many Ogre-like creatures are also found in Native American tribal traditions and are usually in the form of man-eating GIANTS. They are often linked to legends of BIGFOOT. A possible example could be the WINDEGO.
SOURCE: Wikipedia