pahavarade

Pahavarade is a term found in Estonian-language folklore and in contemporary fantasy writing that refers to malevolent forces, objects, or phenomena that bring harm or misfortune. The word derives from pahavara, meaning "evil property" or "harmful thing," with the plural form pahavarade used to denote multiple instances.

In traditional folklore, pahavarade are believed to reside in places of transition—thresholds, doorways, crossroads—or in certain objects believed to be cursed. They are invoked by misfortune, illness, or inexplicable accidents. Protective measures against pahavarade commonly include household rites, purification practices, the use of salt, iron, or blessed objects, and adherence to taboos or omens in daily life. Explanations for encounters vary: some view pahavarade as spirits, others as curses attached to objects or places.

In modern usage, pahavarade appear in fantasy literature, games, and media as antagonistic forces or cursed artifacts. They may be portrayed as sentient beings, as malignant energies, or as the consequence of violating a taboo. The distinction between a pahavara (an individual evil item or curse) and pahavarade (the collection or instances of such evils) is sometimes blurred in popular usage.

See also: pahavara, curse, Estonian folklore, protective rituals.