kummitus

Kummitus is the Finnish word for a ghost or apparition. It denotes a spectral presence, typically associated with the dead or with places said to be haunted. In everyday language the term can describe a visible ghost, a cold draft, or an uncanny sensation that something otherworldly is near.

In Finnish folklore, kummitukset are spirits that have not completed their passage to the afterlife. They are often linked to a particular site, person, or unfinished business, and may appear as a pale figure, a whisper, or a sudden chill. Stories about kummitukset are told in rural traditions and have been collected in folklore archives as part of Finland’s supernatural lore. The concept encompasses both benevolent and ominous manifestations, depending on the tale.

In modern culture, the term is used in literature, cinema, and media to evoke supernatural atmospheres. It also appears in tourism and seasonal events, where haunted-house narratives or historical sites use the idea of kummitukset to create intrigue while emphasizing local history rather than fear.

Related terms in Finnish include haamu, and the concept is part of the broader category of ghosts in Finnish folklore. The word kummitus thus functions as a general label for spectral phenomena rather than a fixed character type.