kehõõru

kehõõru is a term originating from Estonian folklore and mythology. It generally refers to a type of malevolent spirit or goblin. These beings are often depicted as small, grotesque, and mischievous, dwelling in dark or hidden places such as forests, swamps, or under bridges. Their primary characteristic is their tendency to cause trouble for humans, often through tricks, illusions, or by leading people astray.

Folklore describes kehõõru as having a mischievous rather than outright evil nature. While they can be frightening and cause distress, their actions are usually motivated by a desire to play pranks or to assert their presence in the human world. They are not typically associated with causing death or serious harm, though encountering them was often considered an ill omen.

Specific descriptions of kehõõru vary across different regions and stories. Some accounts suggest they have hairy bodies, sharp claws, and glowing eyes, while others describe them as more amorphous or shapeshifting. They are sometimes said to be attracted to specific objects or sounds, and certain folk remedies or rituals were believed to ward them off. The concept of kehõõru reflects a broader tradition in many cultures of spirits and supernatural beings that inhabit the liminal spaces between the human and natural worlds, embodying anxieties about the unknown and the untamed aspects of nature.