According to the Gullah folklore, the Boo Hag will steal your energy while you sleep. It is also said that a Boo Hag may also steal your skin and wear it to move around the world unnoticed.
The Boo Hag will get on top of a person, hold their face close, and then inhale the person’s energy. While in the process, the human will fall into a deeper sleep. If the human fights back during this moment, the Boo Hag will then steal their skin.
If you do not want a Boo Hag to steal your energy while you sleep, you must put a broom beside your bed before you lie down. The legend states that the Boo Hag will become obsessed with counting the straws in the broom, that they will not have time during the night to steal your energy. The Boo Hag must steal your energy before the sun rises.
The Boo Hag has no skin, is red and gains access to the home through a small crack or crevice. The Boo Hag’s intention is not to kill the victim, only to use it over and over to steal its energy, which leaves the victim feeling exhausted.