vaimud

Vaimud is the Estonian plural form of vaim, commonly translated as "spirits" or "ghosts." In everyday language vaimud may refer to supernatural beings, ancestral or household spirits, and, more broadly, non-physical aspects such as mood, spirit, or morale. The term is rooted in Estonian vocabulary and features in discussion of folklore, religion, and culture.

In traditional Estonian folklore, vaimud encompass a range of entities associated with nature, the home, and the dead. Accounts vary by region and source: some describe protective or guiding ancestral spirits, while others recount malevolent or mischievous presences linked to particular places or events. Beliefs about vaimud historically influenced rituals, taboos, and practices around death, healing, and agriculture.

Vaimud appear in folk songs, oral storytelling, and later literary works, where they serve symbolic and narrative roles. In modern contexts, the term is used both in literal discussions of alleged supernatural phenomena and metaphorically in literature, music, and popular speech. Scholars in folklore, anthropology, and religious studies examine vaimud to explore Estonian cosmology, identity, and the interaction between pre-Christian and Christian traditions.

As a cultural concept, vaimud illustrates the persistence and adaptation of spiritual ideas within Estonia, reflecting shifting attitudes toward the supernatural while remaining a feature of cultural memory and creative expression.