Why is the Jinniper Sad?

Notes on the “Sep-Man” or Jinniper

An urban legend from early-American settlers about a shape-shifting creature in the woods who grants wishes. These wishes are said to take form when mass amounts of people would mysteriously vanish. The myth is most likely influenced by Lenape folklore tale about a being made of light, who would appear in the woods before a mysterious disappearance.

There are accounts of settlers, dating back to 1550’s, who would report seeing almost ‘angelic’ light pouring from the woods. This would prompt the villagers to be on high alert, and take excessive guard, while others would make plans to sneak into the woods, and make their wishes.