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The Uhaml Forest Spirit of Without a Face

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In the darkness of night and under the foliage cover of the forest, the demonic spirit of Uhaml is said to roam. The only way to escape it is getting out of the forest faster. 

In the folklore of the Germans living in former Bohemia and Silesia, places that are now part of Czech Republic and Poland, a forest spirit was warned about. Particularly in the regions shaped by dense woods, marshes, and old trade routes, the spirit known as the uhaml prowled. This entity is something between ghost and monster that no one can describe how it looks like.

Lore described the uhaml as a formless figure, often glimpsed only in fleeting moments or seen more as movement in the shadows than a solid body. It was not a spirit tied to a specific grave or location, but a presence that could appear anywhere in the darkness.

Bohemia and Silesia: A lot of old folklore from these parts were often germanic because of the german settlers from medieval times, especially for mining. At times, certain settlements far outnumbered the Czech and Polish speakers. During the 1900s, there were less and less until world war two when all the Germans were expelled.

The Forest Spirit

The uhaml was not merely a scary story told to discourage children from wandering at night. It served as a cultural explanation for tragedies that the people of earlier centuries could not otherwise explain. Carriages that overturned, travelers who disappeared between towns, hunters who never returned from the woods, and people who died suddenly in the dark were all sometimes attributed to the presence of the uhaml.

The exact nature of the uhaml varied by region and storyteller. In some tales it resembled a disembodied shape moving just beyond the sight of the observer. In others it was more like a presence that could not be seen at all, only felt. Although there is no description for the creature, it is often said to be female. 

The spirit is sometimes described as some sort of a demonic bird, although it is said to have horse feet. The call of uhaml is what is most prominent of the spirit, sounding something like Uhuhu, like an owl. People imitating the spirit are in danger of being chased by it. 

The Uncanny Owl: The name Uhaml can be explained as a Silesian dialectal form of Standard German “unheimlich”, meaning “eerie” or “uncanny”, or can more likely be connected to the Eurasian eagle-owl, called “Uhu” in German with regard to its call. According to historians, people of olden times believed that when the eagle owl let its sinister scream sound in European forests or along the coast, it was a sign of ghosts, accidents, or other terrible things to come. In Asia, especially for the Mongolians and the Turks, the owl is seen as sacred instead.

A Folkloric Warning

But how do you save yourself from a danger you can’t see? To protect oneself of the uhaml, people were said to sometimes leave three chips of wood or a loaf of bread in the parlor. The uhaml would enter and cut the bread in two and take one of the pieces with her. If you were being chased by her, the only way to escape was to reach the border of the forest and home and to seek cover of the eaves of the roof, hoping she would pass by. 

Another similar creature is found in Lower Austria close to the historical territories that had tales of the uhaml, there is the Udl. This is a demonic kind of bird dwelling in the woods covering the slopes of the castle mountain in Mödling. The screeching and nightly call of the Udl is an omen for war or other disasters.

Read Also: The Demonic Omen of Disaster at Mödling Castle Hill

So what was the uhaml? Some connect the legends as a sort of cousin to the German Aufhocker, another unidentifiable shapeshifting spirit of the forest, jumping on the back of other people, wearing them down. The victims often die of exhaustion because the Aufhocker cannot be shaken off or killed. As the Uhalm, the only way of getting out of the situation is by making it back home in time. 

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Uhaml – Wikipedia

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The Demonic Omen of Disaster at Mödling Castle Hill

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Sometimes called the Devil’s Stone, the ruins of the former Mödling Castle is said to be haunted by a demonic bird-like entity, screeching at night as an omen of death and disaster. 

Just 30 minutes from Vienna lies the ruin of Mödling Castle, once Austria’s largest castle complex, where the Babenbergs lived in 1177, but history of the place on the hilltop stretches much further back.

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Throughout the years, the once noble castle was often dubbed by its other name, Devil’s Stone. Although the old castle is now in ruins, there are local legends about demonic spirits said to never have left, and never will. 

In the Ruins of Castle Mödling

Once upon a time, this now ruins was one of the largest castle complexes in Austria. In the 12th century, a branch of the Babenberg family resided here. The ruins remaining is actually a 19th century reconstruction of the much older castle that originally was. 

After the Hungarian victory at the Battle of Pressburg, the Bavarians retreated as far as the Vienna Woods, resulting in a two-hundred-year gap in records and only a few noteworthy archaeological finds from this period. 

The next record of a castle in Mödling dates from 1137 and mentions a “castellanus” who presumably already resided on a hill overlooking the town. Around 1150, the Babenbergs, under Duke Henry II Jasomirgott, began construction of a stone castle. Today, only the foundation walls and a few imposing arches remain.

The Demon Stones

Another nickname for the Mödling Castle is actually Teufelstein, meaning Devil’s Stone. It is uncertain when people started to refer this place as such, but in the play Der Teufelstein in Mödling (also Die Zauber-Rose) from 1800 it is referred to as such. Although a folktale romantic comedy, could there  be something the writer drew inspiration for? 

Because there have been several legends referring to the Devil’s Stones. In these tales, people often talk about something demonic happening on the castle hills, like wicked goblins causing mischief, or even demonic birds screeching in the night as a bad omen of oncoming danger and death. 

The Cries of the Demonic Bird Udl

One of the enduring legends of the Schlossberg or the castle hill near Mödling, is the call of the demonic bird Udl. It is said to sound eerie and hoarse, filling everyone hearing it with dread, because they know what it means. 

Demonic Bird Lore: The Udl is thought to be connected to the Eurasian eagle-owl as many other demonic bird stories are. According to historians, people of olden times believed that when the eagle owl let its sinister scream sound in European forests or along the coast, it was a sign of ghosts, accidents, or other terrible things to come. In Asia, especially for the Mongolians and the Turks, the owl is seen as sacred instead.

No one can scare the creature away, and no one dares to kill it. It always returns to its forest and is said to never leave. And its voice heralds war and famine, sickness and death. And attacks from the Hungarians, Ottomans and even Romans, the attacks were plenty on these hills.

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References:

http://www.moedlingkleinestadtganzgross.at/heimatbuch_1958.htm

https://www.burgen-austria.com/archive.php?id=1943

Mödling – Wikipedia

Burg Mödling – Wikipedia

Ukategorisert

The Mystery of the Bird Suicides in Jatinga, Assam

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Known as the Valley of Death, the little town of Jatinga in Assam is the place of an annual mass death of birds that has puzzled scientists for years. The locals have long thought the seemingly suicidal birds were angry spirits from the sky come to torment them. 

Deep in the heart of the Dima Hasao district of Assam lies a small village shrouded in mystery and surrounded by eerie legends. This is Jatinga, a place where birds fall from the sky in droves, and strange lights flicker in the darkness. For years, scientists, researchers, poets and curious visitors have tried to unravel the secrets of this enigmatic village, but the truth remains elusive. 

Read more: Check out all of the ghost stories from India

Some believe the small town of Jatinga with only 2500 people is a cursed place, haunted by the spirits of the dead. Others claim that it is a vortex of strange energies that attract birds and other creatures to their doom. 

The Mystery of Jatinga: Birds committing suicide

Jatinga is known for its strange phenomenon of birds committing suicide and it has at least been happening for over a century. Every year, during the months of August to November, between 7 pm to 10 pm, hundreds of birds come crashing down to the ground in Jatinga. It is said it happens mostly on moonless and foggy dark nights.

The Birds of Assam: Jatinga in Assam, India has long been known as the Bermuda Triangle of Birds. The strange case of countless of birds seemingly plummeting to their death has puzzled scientists for years.

It is a bizarre sight that has puzzled researchers for years. The birds that are affected are usually night migratory species that come from the Himalayan ranges. The birds that are affected by this phenomenon include the tiger bunting, black bittern, and little egret, amongst others.

Theories Behind the Bird Suicides

The local tribals first took this natural phenomenon to be spirits flying from the sky to terrorize them and is also believed to be behind killing many of those that have plunged to death with bamboo poles. Many studies over the years have dispelled the bird suicide theory, but says it is actually the village on a killing spree of the birds to eat them. 

There have been many theories behind the bird suicides in Jatinga. Some people believe that the birds are attracted to the lights in the village and become disoriented, leading to their deaths. It could also be the wind that makes them go towards the lights as safety but are hit with bamboo poles on their way down and killed. 

Others believe that the birds are driven to suicide by a magnetic force that emanates from the hills surrounding Jatinga. However, none of these theories have been scientifically proven.

Legends and Myths Associated with Jatinga

Jatinga is steeped in legends and myths that add to its enigmatic aura. One of the most popular legends associated with Jatinga is that it is a cursed place. It is also said that this is why the villagers set up the bamboo poles, who feared the birds that they thought were evil spirits sent from the sky to cause them harm and it was meant as more of a protective measurement when the birds got attracted to the lights from the village. Or whatever that is making the birds drop from the sky that is.  

The Green Country: Assam at the eastern foot of the Himalayas is often associated with mysteries and mythical tales and the hill village of Jatinga is just one of them. The place is also known for its diversity of faun and flora.

According to the legend, a powerful witch cursed the village, causing the birds to fall from the sky. The witch is said to have been angered by the villagers who refused to help her when she was in need. Another legend states that Jatinga is the gateway to the underworld, and the birds that fall from the sky are the spirits of the dead trying to communicate with the living.

The Enduring Mystery of Jatinga

Jatinga is a place that continues to baffle scientists, researchers, and visitors alike. Its strange phenomenon of bird suicides, haunted places, and legends have made it an enigmatic destination that draws people from all over the world. While the truth behind the mysteries of Jatinga may never be fully understood, one thing is for sure: it is a place that will leave a lasting impression on anyone who dares to explore its secrets.

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References:

Jatinga Dima Hasao Assam – Best Place for Bird Watching in Assam 

A Mystery Yet To Be Uncovered! Birds Have Committed Suicide In This Assam Village Every Year Since Centuries 

Jatinga – Wikipedia

A Tiny Village Called Jatinga In Assam Is One Of The Creepiest Places on Earth 

Ghost ship, Mythology, Sea

Sailors Superstitions

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Perhaps none are more superstitious than the sailors. Or at least, what the old sailors used to be. Rolling clouds or roaring waves means little to us on land, but in the 18th century New England, it meant bad luck. Some of them are plain ridiculous, like having an umbrella on the ship means bad luck, or even saying the word horse because it can mean death.

However, maybe they are the ones who needed it the most. They were, after all, left alone to the mercy of the unruly seas and the hidden depths most never sees. Perhaps the old ways of the seafarers knew something we don’t?

Red Sunrise

There is a lot affecting the weather according to old superstitions. Clapping could cause thunder, whistling could summon a wind and throwing a stone in the water could bring swells. 

However one of the more likely and poetic sailors weather forecast was this:

“Red sky at night, sailors delight. Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning. “

This poetic warning told about the day ahead and that it would take a dangerous turn. In fact, it does have some sort of scientific background, although not a hundred percent accurate. A red sky can actually warn about bad weather ahead. 

Bananas on board

This is seemingly one of the weirder ones. But it actually makes sense, even just a bit. It is a superstition from the 1700 and the banana trade. A big amount of the ships went missing carrying a load of bananas, trying to cross the sea. The bananas turned bad pretty quickly, and the ships had to hurry to deliver the goods before it rotted away and no one would profit or get their bananas. So how does it make sense? People make bad decisions, taking a wrong course, pushing the ship too much. It also is said rotten bananas let off lethal gasses and deadly spiders living in the bananas took some out on board. So, do you crave a banana now?

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The Dies Infaustus

Not only the weather was something they were afraid of. There were even some days more frightening than others. Like the day Friday, which considered to be an unlucky day in some cultures or the Dies Infaustus as it’s called in fancy Latin. This is perhaps one of the most enduring superstitions, at least in the days since we started calling the day Friday. It was unlucky to begin a voyage or set sail on this day. It is also the root of the well-known urban legend of HMS Friday.  In more Viking and Norse oriented ships, Thursday was the day to avoid since it’s Thor, God of thunders day. 

The Albatross

At length did cross an Albatross,
Thorough the fog it came;
As if it had been a Christian soul,
We hailed it in God’s name.
‘God save thee, ancient Mariner!
From the fiends, that plague thee thus!
— Why look’st thou so?’—
With my cross-bow I shot the ALBATROSS.

From: The Rime of the Ancient Mariner By: Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Birds have a massive influence on superstition. Seeing a swallow means you are close to land, spotting an albatross can bring good fortune. But as the Mariner and the crew in the famous poem experience, killing it will bring bad luck. The crew thought to kill the albatross only brought them more misfortune:

Water, water, every where,
And all the boards did shrink;
Water, water, every where,
Nor any drop to drink.

In the end, they blamed in all on the Mariner and made him wear the dead albatross around his neck. Birds are also believed to be or carry the souls of dead sailors, making their significance even greater. They are one of the crew.

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The Jonah

Jonah will for many be remembered from as the biblical figure from the Book of Jonah. A guy who was trying to flee from the presence of God by sailing away. A huge storm came over the ship and it was no ordinary storm. The crew discovers that Jonah is the one to blame and they throw him overboard. The storm calms by the sacrifice and Jonah is saved by being swallowed by a large fish where he spends three days and three nights, repenting for his sins.

Jonah is now a well-established expression of a sailor or a passenger bringing bad luck to the ship. Often clergymen and women would be considered a Jonah. Also, redheads would be sometimes accused of being a Jonah.  

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