Draugijas

Draugijas is a term originating from Latvian folklore and mythology. It refers to a type of supernatural being, often described as a spirit or a phantom. While the exact nature of draugijas can vary in different tales, they are generally depicted as malevolent entities that are closely associated with the dead and the underworld.

These spirits are often said to emerge from graves or burial sites, and their appearance can be unsettling, sometimes described as shadowy or gaunt. Draugijas are sometimes believed to be the restless souls of individuals who met an untimely or violent end, or those who were particularly wicked in life. They are not typically seen as guardians or benevolent spirits, but rather as harbingers of misfortune or even active agents of harm to the living.

In some narratives, draugijas are said to torment people, steal their possessions, or even possess them. They are often associated with darkness, graveyards, and nighttime. Folk beliefs sometimes suggest ways to ward off or protect oneself from draugijas, such as through specific amulets or rituals. The concept of draugijas reflects a traditional understanding of the boundary between the living and the dead and the anxieties surrounding the unknown forces that might inhabit the space between.