Öitsijät

Öitsijät is a term used in Estonian folklore and mythology to refer to nocturnal spirits or beings. These entities are often associated with the night, darkness, and the liminal spaces between the mundane world and the supernatural realm. While the exact nature and characteristics of öitsijät can vary across different regional traditions, they are generally depicted as elusive and sometimes mischievous or even malevolent.

The concept of öitsijät can encompass a range of supernatural phenomena. Some traditions describe them as disembodied spirits of the deceased, while others associate them with nature spirits that become more active after sunset. They are sometimes said to inhabit forests, swamps, or other secluded areas. Encounters with öitsijät are often described as unsettling experiences, characterized by strange sounds, inexplicable movements, or fleeting glimpses of shadowy figures.

Beliefs surrounding öitsijät served to explain unexplained nocturnal occurrences and to caution people against venturing out alone or disturbing the natural order during the night. Protective measures or rituals might be employed by villagers to ward off these nocturnal beings. The folklore of öitsijät reflects a deep-seated respect for and fear of the unknown aspects of the natural world and the period of darkness.