In Albanian

Albanians

Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...

 belief, the kukudhi is the final stage in the transformation of a vampire

Vampire

Vampires are mythological or folkloric beings who subsist by feeding on the life essence of living creatures, regardless of whether they are undead or a living person...

. It is basically the perfect vampire. It takes 30 years from the start to the finish of this transformation. During this time kukudhi grows in strength, shape, and vampiric powers. When it reaches the state of kukudhi, a vampire is no longer vulnerable to sunlight and no longer is required to return to its grave or keep the cemetery close by. In the kukudhi stage the creature is now able to travel extensively (usually as a merchant) or reside at his own home.

Like any vampire it can be destroyed by staking

Staking

Staking may refer to:* Staking , a process for connecting two components* Poker staking, the act of one person putting up cash for a poker player to play with in hopes that the player wins...

, decapitation

Decapitation

Decapitation is the separation of the head from the body. Beheading typically refers to the act of intentional decapitation, e.g., as a means of murder or execution; it may be accomplished, for example, with an axe, sword, knife, wire, or by other more sophisticated means such as a guillotine...

, and cremation

Cremation

Cremation is the process of reducing bodies to basic chemical compounds such as gasses and bone fragments. This is accomplished through high-temperature burning, vaporization and oxidation....

. It can be rendered harmless by hamstringing

Hamstringing

Hamstringing is a method of crippling a person or animal so that they cannot walk properly, by cutting the two large tendons at the back of the knees.- Method :...

.