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List of beings referred to as fairies

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The term fairy is peculiar to the English language and to English folklore, reflecting the conflation of Germanic, Celtic and Romance folklore and legend since the Middle English period (it is a Romance word which has been given the associations of fair by folk etymology secondarily). Nevertheless, "fairy" has come to be used as a kind of umbrella term in folklore studies, grouping comparable types of supernatural creatures since at least the 1970s.[1] The following list is a collection of individual traditions which have been grouped under the "fairy" moniker in the citation given.

Africa

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  • The Aziza are a beneficent fairy race from Africa, specifically Dahomey.
  • The Yumboes are supernatural beings in the mythology of the Wolof people (most likely Lebou) of Senegal, West Africa. Their alternatively used name Bakhna Rakhna literally means good people, an interesting parallel to the Scottish fairies called Good Neighbours.

Asia

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  • Al Ana - goes by several names. Said to be either a witch or Djinn, but derives from older regional folklore. Seems to have a weird amount in common with Elves, even being called Albis and causing a sickness known as Albasti.
  • The Chinese huli jing and the Japanese kitsune have both been described as "fox fairies".
  • Kodama - diminutive tree spirits of Japanese folklore.
  • Mogwai are, according to Chinese tradition, a breed of fairy-folk who possess great powers, which they often use to inflict harm on humans.
  • The Malaysian pari-pari (Malaysian) or peri (Indonesian) are often seen as motherly creatures who will help those who have good heart. Malay fairies also love fruit and like nature.
  • Peris, found in Persian mythology, are descended from spirits who have been denied paradise until they have done penance.
  • Tien[2] from Vietnamese folklore are celestial beings variously described in English as "angels", "fairies", "immortals", and "spirits".
  • Yaksha are creatures usually characterized as having dual personalities, found in Hindu and Buddhist mythology. On the one hand, a Yaksha may be an inoffensive nature-fairy, associated with woods and mountains; a darker version of the Yaksha, a kind of anthropophagic ogre, ghost, or demon who haunts the wilderness and waylays, and devours travelers.

European folklore (and European colonies in the New World)

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The Americas

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  • An alux is a type of sprite or spirit described by the Maya peoples of the Yucatán Peninsula.
  • Caŋ Otila - little people of Lakota lore who live in trees. Consulted in magic.
  • Chaneques are small elf- or pixie-like beings in the south to southeast of Mexico, especially Veracruz and parts of Oaxaca. Their name "chaneque" derives from the Nahuatl term ohuican chaneque, meaning "those who dwell in dangerous places", and they seem to have originally been guardian spirits of craggy mountains, woods, springs, caves, etc. Today, they are usually described as having the appearance of a toddler, with the wrinkled face of a very old person. They are known for hiding things, getting people lost, and sometimes throwing stones at people.[3]
  • The curupira is a male supernatural being which guards the forest in Tupi mythology.
  • Granny Squannit - a Little People chieftainess of Wampanoag lore who is consulted as a patron saint, of sorts.
  • Jogah are small spirit-folk from Iroquois mythology.
  • Memegwaans- formless little people of the Anishinaabeg who take the forms of other children. Only appear to children who are upset, distressed or in trouble. Used as a patron Saint of lost children, who look after and protect them when kids go missing. Associated with caves.
  • Memegwesi- hairy little people of Anishinaabeg lore who live in burrows along rivers, throwing rocks at passersby and capsizing canoes.
  • Nikommo - another type of little people of Wampanoag lore associated with forests. Had feasts thrown in their honor. Also called Mikumwess.
  • Pukwudgie - type of little people said to be malevolent by the Wampanoag, but neutral by the Anishinaabeg. Associated with swamps.
  • Stick Indians- dangerous Little People of the Pacific Northwest, used to warn children away from playing in the wild areas.
  • Yaqsuri- mischievous Catawba little people who tie people's clothes and hair into bushes when they aren't looking.

Oceania

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  • Menehune (pl./s.)/Menehunes (pl.): Centuries ago, a Hawaiian legend spoke of the Menehune, who were a mischievous group of small people, or dwarfs, who lived hidden in the forests and valleys of the tropical islands. These creatures were only about 2–3 feet tall; some were as small as 6 inches. They enjoyed dancing, singing, archery, and cliff diving, and their favorite foods were bananas and fish. They also, according to local lore, were smart, strong, and excellent craftsmen. The Menehune were said to use magic arrows to pierce the heart of angry people, igniting feelings of love in its place. Menehune were rarely seen by human eyes, and they are credited with mighty feats of engineering and overnight construction.

References

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  1. ^ Katharine Mary Briggs, An Encyclopedia of Fairies (Pantheon Books, 1976) p. xi. ISBN 0-394-73467-X
  2. ^ Florence, Mason & Jealous, Virginia (2003). Lonely Planet Vietnam (Lonely Planet Vietnam). Hawthorn, Vic., Australia: Lonely Planet Publications. ISBN 1-74059-355-3.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ "Chaneque". medicinatradicionalmexicana.unam.mx.
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