Anyone familiar with Bulgarian samodivi?
I’m from Bulgaria and I’ve always been fascinated by samodivi. In our folklore they’re described as spirits of dead women who become beautiful but dangerous beings, living in forests and mountains. People say they appear in remote places and at night, often near water or in deep woods.
Growing up, I heard stories that you should avoid the places where they dance, because if you see them or disturb them, you can get lost, fall under a kind of spell, or something bad can happen to you. They’re not really “evil”, but they’re definitely not safe either.
I was wondering if anyone outside Bulgaria has heard of them, or if there are similar beings in other cultures. They feel a bit like fairies or nymphs, but darker.
Just curious what they remind you of.