Brownies have always been one of my favorite mythical creatures. Part of this comes from being a natural night owl and introvert; I feel a certain kinship for beings that only work at night and unseen. But they also intrigue me from a metaphorical standpoint. They work selflessly, never demanding credit for doing chores—but that doesn’t mean they’re creatures you can take advantage of. Ignore them too long, or treat them poorly, and brownies turn into bogarts: malevolent tricksters that steal and make milk go sour.

Brownies are just one of the many little people in world myths and folktales. I’m in the beginning stages of a new novel project that will use a variety of little folk. I’ve been reviewing my folklore research in preparation and thought other writers might also find inspiration in some of these lesser-known little people from around the world.

Abatwa

Culture of origin: Zulu

The Abatwa are one of the littlest of little folk, so small that they ride on ants. They’re also said to live in anthills, or at least dwellings disguised as anthills whose interiors have corridors and rooms decorated in colorful mosaics made of seeds.

The Abatwa are only selectively visible to humans, a common theme of little people tales. In their case, they can be seen only by wizards, children under 4, and pregnant women. Some myths say pregnant women can only see Abatwa of the same gender as their unborn child.

The general vibe of the Abatwa is peaceful, but they’re not without defenses. If someone steps on them or offends them, they shoot tiny poison arrows. When treated well, though, they’re helpful and like to give advice to those who can see them.

Al

Culture of origin: Armenian

Also known as: Hal (Persian), Alk (Kurdish), Ol or Xal (Tajikistan/Afghanistan), Almasti or Albasti (Central Asian Turks), Halmasti (Dards), Ali (Georgian)

The Al are childbirth demons, which is another vast category of folklore. They’re malevolent and look it, with boar tusks, copper claws, iron teeth, clay noses, and fiery eyes. Both males and females have a crone-like appearance and are said to carry a straw basket or woolen bag, where they keep the internal organs (mostly livers and lungs) that they steal from pregnant women. The Central Asian description is particularly fun—in that version, the Almasti has sagging breasts and hangs one over its shoulder, while the other shoulder carries their sack.

The Al are seen as the cause of miscarriages, destroying embryos in the womb. They also steal babies 40 days after birth, replacing them with imps in a kind of changeling narrative. The origin story of the Al is worth noting, too. In many Near East traditions, the Al was created by God to be Adam’s first consort, but the Al was too fiery (it’s not known whether this was in a literal or metaphoric sense a la Lilith). To this day, the Al targets pregnant women out of jealousy over being replaced by Eve.

Alom-bag-winno-sis

Culture of origin: Abenaki

Many little folk are seen as mischievous, somewhere between benevolent and malevolent, and that’s the case for the Alom-bag-winno-sis. They were seen as guardians of the water and I suppose only partially qualify for this list since they could change size and shape at will. In their base form, though, they’re about the size of a child but with stocky limbs.

Alom-bag-winno-sis could be seen by humans, but only in select circumstances. To see one was said to be an omen of death by drowning. They were also said to upset canoes and cause other mischief on the water.

Aside from their water-guardian status, the main claim to fame of the alom-bag-winno-sis is that they possess a magic pot. Put just a few kernels of corn inside, sprinkle with magic, and the pot would brim over with an abundant wealth of corn in short order.

Alux

Culture of origin: Maya

Also called: Chanekeh (Nahuatl)

The Alux is a knee-high being that goes about in traditional Maya garb and basically looks like a little adult. Normally they’re invisible, but they can choose to show themselves to people. When they do, it’s usually to ask farmers or travelers for an offering. Give an offering, and the Alux will protect you from thieves and bring good luck. Refuse, and they’ll play tricks and spread illnesses.

There’s debate of whether the Alux was inspired by Spanish Duende or pre-date Western contact. On an individual level, they’re said to be called into being when a farmer builds a little shrine for it on their property (called a kahtal alux). When first summoned, the alux will help fields grow for 7 years by bringing rain and patrolling the land at night. After this, the farmer needs to seal the windows and doors of their kahtal alux, or the resident will go wild and turn trickster (shades of brownie/bogart in this one).

Bohpoli

Culture of origin: Choctaw

Also called: Throwers

Unexplained sounds in the woods are attributed to the Bohpoli, who are roughly two-foot tall people living in dark woods. Their nickname of “thrower” comes from their tendency to throw things at pine trees to make noise. They’re invisible to most humans, and are generally mischievous if not outright malicious.

Some people can see Bohpoli, though, including prophets and shamans. To them, the Bohpoli are beneficial guides, helping them to create medicines and learn more about the forest. Interestingly, while the Bohpholi are another race of little folk said to steal kids, they do so for a good cause. They’re said to kidnap little children, taking them on as apprentices and teaching them about herbs and medicine. After, they return them to their tribes to serve as doctors and prophets themselves.

Canotila

Culture of origin: Lakota

Also called: Can Hotidan, Can’otial, Chanhotina, Hohno’gicidan, Chahoterdah, Oh-no-ge-cha, Ungnagicaca

The name Canotila translates literally to “little tree dweller” or “they live in a tree”, and was used for a race of forest sprites seen among various Sioux tribes. They were seen as messengers between the spirit world and humans, and would appear to people in their dreams to convey information or knowledge.

The internet is surprisingly light on other details about the Canotila, aside from referring to them as similar to wood elves and suggesting they could appear in a variety of forms.

Coblynau

Culture of origin: Welsh

Also called: Tommyknocker, Knocker, or Knacker (Cornish/Devon)

Coblynau are little people who live in mines and they dress the part, appearing as ugly men in mining outfits about a half-yard tall. What they lack in physical beauty they make up for in friendliness. Their Cornish name comes from the peculiar knocking sound they make to alert miners to rich ore veins or other treasures.

Granted, Coblynau aren’t entirely benevolent. They’re also known to play tricks, like stealing tools and food or blowing out candles and lanterns. Similar to other European little folk, it was common for people to leave offerings to keep the Knockers on their good side, specifically in this case tossing the last bites of their pasties into the mines.

Origin stories of the Coblynau vary. One version says they’re ghosts of mine workers. Other times they’re simply spirits who come with the land. Since the mid-1800s they’ve been a transcontinental legend, brought first to Western Pennsylvania by Welsh and Cornish immigrants and spreading from there across the US.

Fenodyree

Culture of origin: Manx

Also called: Uruisg (Gaelic)

Another helpful but unpredictable house spirit from the British Isles. Their main defining physical characteristic is that they’re very, very hairy. They don’t even wear clothes because they don’t need to. They’re also known as “a giant among fairies”, though not by human standards—they’re still just around 2 feet tall.

Fenodyree are expert grass cutters, earning them the nickname yn foldyr gastey (“the nimble mower”). They’d also herd sheep, repair fish nets, and help with reaping and threshing, making them well worth the food offerings people would leave them as a reward. If you want them to leave, instead, you can give them clothes, which offends their sensibilities so much they go to live elsewhere.

Haltija

Culture of origin: Finnish

Similar to words like fairy or elf, this is a class of mythical beings and there are multiple types of haltija in Finnish folklore. These are classed into groups called väki which are each dedicated to a given domain (e.g., forests, water, fire, death, iron, etc.). Across the board, they’re small in stature and generally helpful, as long as they’re treated with respect (probably you’re sensing a theme here).

Some specific types of haltija include:

• tonttu or maan haltija – spirits of the land, connected to a specific place
• kotihaltija – home elf, the tonttu who lives in every home and takes care of it
• saunatonttu – tonttu who lives in the sauna, protecting it and making sure people behave in it
• joulutonttu – a Christmas elf (sans pointy ears)

Fun fact: the word haltija may have derived from haltijar, a Gothic word meaning the original settler of a homestead. It’s used in modern Finnish to mean occupant or owner.

Hob

Culture of origin: Anglo-Saxon

Also known as: Hobgoblin

A hob is a household spirit that is very similar to a brownie. They look like small, hairy old men, tend to work at night, and were known to be both helpful and trickstery around homesteads, depending on how they were treated.

The term hobgoblin was a later evolution of the idea, coming about in the 1500s when the perception of hobs went from helpful house spirits to malicious entities. Hobgoblins still help around the house but they’re also shapeshifters and enjoy practical jokes. If you annoy or offend them, they can turn downright dangerous. Interestingly, gifts of clothing also banish a hob, though only the helpful ones; malicious hobs can’t be chased away.

Iratxoak

Culture of origin: Basque

At the base level, the Iratxoak are akin to other European household spirits: small, usually benevolent, and found on farms and homesteads. The main difference in this myth is that the Iratxoak can be trapped by leaving a small box on top of a bush at midsummer. Once trapped, they become servants of the person who caught them.

There is also a variant of the Iratxoak, called the Galtzagorriak (“the red pants”) who wear—you guessed it—red trousers, and are known for being clever and playful.

Jogah

Culture of origin: Iroquois (Seneca, Mohawk, Tuscarora, Cayuga)

Also called: Jogeon, Jungies, Dzogeon, Giket-on, Ohdow, Gahunga, Gendayah, Enkwehsayen

Jogah are 2-foot tall nature spirits who follow the helpful little people archetype. In some traditions they’re said to be the grandchildren of the thunder god Hinun. They help Iroquois farmers who are respectful toward them, encouraging their crops to grow and keeping snakes and other pests under control. If disrespected, they’re tricksters and can be dangerous, causing illness. Tobacco is a favorite offering to stay on their good side, left at the stone or mud “bowls” the jogah create.

Jogah live underground and are invisible by default, though they can choose to show themselves to people. Most often, they’ll reveal themselves to kids, elders, and shamans. Otherwise, you can only know they’re around from the sound of their drumming.

There are some variants of the jogah, too. These include:

• Gahongas (“stone throwers or rollers”) who live in rocky areas, and like playing “catch” by throwing boulders at people.
• Gandayah, who care for the plants in a given region, love strawberries, and take the form of robins (when they have good news) or owls (when they have bad news).
• Ohdows, underground guardians who come out at night to dance and hunt underworld creatures. Fingernails were left as offerings for these ones, which somehow helped them hunt, apparently.

Kakamora

Culture of origin: Maori/Polynesian

Also called: Kalibohibohi, Kakangora, Dodore or Mumu (Malaita), Nopitu (northern Vanuatu), Tutulangi

These little guys got a bit of a boost in fame thanks to their feature in Disney’s Moana. In myths, the kakamora predate humans on the islands of Polynesia, specifically the Solomon Islands (and, specific specifically, the island of Makira).

After people started living there, they retreated to the mountains and mostly leave people alone, except for when they come to steal fire. They are one of the more actively malicious races on this list, mostly because they sometimes eat people, luring them into the mountains by crying like a baby then capturing and killing them (a bit more intense than the Disneyfied coconut-wearing cuties).

Kakamora are said to look mostly like short people but with long, sharp fingernails. They live in caves and banyan trees and are scared of the color white, so waving a pale cloth can be one way to keep them from attacking.

Kijmuna

Culture of origin: Japan

Also called: Bunagaya

Hailing specifically from Okinawa mythology, the kijmuna looks like a toddler with red hair, though that hair can also cover their entire bodies. They also have an abnormally large head and tend to live in trees, specifically the banyan tree.

The kijmuna’s main skill is that they’re excellent fishers, though they don’t eat the whole thing—they’ll just eat one eye, then leave the rest. They’re also one of the mythological creatures used as an explanation for sleep paralysis. One of the pranks they’re said to play on humans is to lay on their chest at night, making them unable to move or breathe.

Korpokkur

Culture of origin: Ainu

Also called: korbokkur, koro-pok-guru

The version of the korpokkur in Final Fantasy doesn’t quite match its depiction in Ainu myth. In folklore, the korpokkur were said to be the original inhabitants of the northern Japanese islands. The name roughly translates to “people under the leaves of the Fuki” because they were said to live in pits with roofs made of butterbur leaves.

Korpokkur looked just like humans but shorter. Their skills included fishing and hunting, and they initially helped the Ainu in both these areas. Like other little people, though, they hated being seen, and would only exchange goods at night.

Fun fact: Some anthropologists have theorized the korpokkur were an actual early hominid, who may have arrived on the Japanese islands from the Aleutian Islands and were eventually displaced by the indigenous people of Hokkaido.

Kowi Anukasha

Culture of origin: Choctaw

Also called: Kwanokasha

The name of these little people literally translates to “forest dwellers” and they lived in the same places as the bohpoli, often associated with them (though without the child-thief aspect to their mythology).

Kowi anukasha were known mainly for their powerful magic. Thankfully, they mostly only used it to make mischief and weren’t seen as overtly malicious, though they could be dangerous. When treated respectfully, they could bestow their magic power on people.

Kurupira

Culture of origin: Tupi-Guarani

Also called: Curupira

This one is as much a fertility spirit as it is a race of little people, but so unique I felt like including it anyway. There are multiple etymologies given for the name. Some say it translates to “child’s body” while in other accounts it comes from kuru’pir, meaning “covered in blisters.” Whatever the case, it resembles a small man with bright orange hair that can ignite into flames. It also has backwards feet, which it uses to leave false trails that confuse travelers. When they don’t feel like walking, they ride collared peccary.

The kurupira has other abilities it uses to scare victims. It can weave illusions and makes a high-pitched whistling noise that drives victims to madness. Maybe its most distinctive feature, though, is its massive penis, which is so big it wraps around his waist like a belt. It’s also prehensile and can extend through windows or doors to impregnate women. The kurupira is therefore blamed for unwanted pregnancies, as well as the disappearance of young women, whom he steals away to his home in the forest.

Laftrache

Culture of origin: Mapuche

Also called: Caftranches

The laftrache originally hailed from the spirit world of Minchenmapu but went down to Mapu (Earth) after a fight with the Pillanes, another group of spirits. Some have since returned to the spirit world, but others still live underground across South America, with the most legends coming out of Chile and Argentina.

Along with their underground dwellings, laftrache frequent wild fields and forests. If you’re trying to find one, look down; the main sign they leave are their tiny poops. You can also look up at night, when they’re said to transform into glowing spheres that float from tree to tree.

Mannegishi

Culture of origin: Cree

These little tricksters are bald with big, beautiful eyes, very slender limbs, and six fingers on each hand. Their heads are said to be bulbous and large, with no nose. They live between the rocks along fast-moving rivers, where they play fun tricks like flipping over canoes to make people drown.

Fans of cryptozoology may be familiar with the mannegishi. It’s one explanation that’s been given for the Dover Demon, a small humanoid reported in Massachusetts in the 1970s. A similar creature was spotted in Toronto in 1978, called the Toronto Tunnel Monster.

Menehune

Culture of origin: Hawaii

Another entry in the “ancient displaced race” cateogry, the menehune hail from the mythology of the Hawaiian islands, where they’re said to live in hidden valleys and deep forests. They’re exceptional builders and crafters, and some ancient structures that predate Polynesian settlers on the islands are attributed to the Menehune. They only work at night, and if they don’t manage to complete the project by dawn, they abandon it.

Only children and adults connected to children can see the Menehune. If you’re lucky enough to see them, the Menehune will teach you to sing and dance—at least, if they want you around. Otherwise, they chase people off by shooting tiny bows at them. Their favorite food is bananas, so if you’re hoping to lure some that’s a good fruit to have on hand.

Menninkäinen

Culture of origin: Finnish

I wanted to include this one because it’s said to have been the inspiration for Tolkien’s hobbits. Menninkäinen are short humanoids in pointed hats who live in the forest. People can see them but they’re shy, avoiding contact as a rule, though they’re also curious and will sometimes wander in to human spaces. They’re friendly when respected. In legends, they often pose riddles or ask for favors, and are known to enjoy dancing and shiny treasure.

Folklorists think the stories of the Menninkäien likely started as ancestral spirits that evolved into a separate category over time. They’re in the child-thief category, said to trick kids into wandering into the deep forest.

Mimakwisiwuk

Culture of origin: Ojibwe

Also called: Memegwesi, mikumwessuk (Mi’kmaq), memekwesiw

These are magical little people who live in the wilderness. They’re the same height as a two-year-old but you can tell they’re not human because they have no noses. The main way to know they’re around is to look for their carvings on rocks. They also carve caves out of rocks to live in, usually along the shores of rivers.

The mimakwisiwuk have a similar dual nature to other little people: helpful for some, tricksters for others. Sometimes, they’ll provide healing herbs—just place a basket under a tree and tell the mimakwisiwuk what ails you, and the right herbs to treat you will be in it when you come back. While they’re not normally visible, they can appear to people during dreams, or in the physical realm to those whose hearts are pure.

Mooinjer veggey

Culture of origin: Manx

Also called: Muintir bheaga (Irish and Scottish Gaelic)

There is a lot more specificity about the appearance of mooinjer veggey than most. They’re 2-3 feet tall, wear red hats and green jackets, and often are seen riding horseback with packs of multi-colored wee hounds following them. You’ll only see them if they want you to—they’re invisible until they choose to reveal themselves.

The moinjer veggey live in hillsides and love playing music. People camping in the countryside at night would sometimes hear their melodies—though if you do, don’t search out the source; people who listen too long can get trapped. Moinjer veggey are also said to steal children and generally bring bad luck, though they can also cure diseases if they feel like it. People would leave dough or butter stuck to the wall after baking or churning as an offering to the moinjer veggey to prevent their tricks.

Mrenh kongveal

Culture of origin: Khmer

These nomadic humanoids of the Cardamom Mountains were primarily seen as guardians of animals. They were the supernatural herdsmen of wild animals, especially social herd animals like elephants and buffalo. Offerings would be left to them for luck in the hunt, or to ward wild animals away from crops.

Mrenh kongveal are the size of children, though what they look like is a mystery since only children can see them, specifically children 6-14 years old who are “pure of heart.” They can still communicate with other humans, either in their dreams or through telepathy that sounds like whispering.

Nisse

Culture of origin: Scandinavian

The nisse are for the most part a variant on the theme of European little people: small humans who live on farms and homesteads, protecting it from harm and causing tricks if mistreated. They’re seen as particularly short-tempered and easily offended. One way to offend them is to neglect the farm, which will result in sabotage like killing livestock, stealing tools, or causing general destruction to teach the farmer a lesson.

The appearance of the nisse varies depending on the region. In Denmark it’s beardless with red clothes and cap. The Norwegian version has four fingers, pointed ears, and reflective eyes like a cat’s. In some versions it only has one eye in the middle of its face like a cyclops.

One big thing about the nisse is that they like tradition and don’t like change. A lot of the ways you offend them are by being rude or violating unspoken rules. This tracks with their most common origin, which is said to be the spirit of the farm’s original inhabitant.

Nuno sa punso

Culture of origin: Philippines

Also called the “old man of the mound”, these little people live in anthills or termite mounds, though they can also be found under rocks, in trees, or along riverbanks. They’re generally seen as the guardians of the land, and it’s still considered wise to ask their permission before breaking virgin ground for a building or felling trees.

Appearance-wise, the nuno sa punso are fairly standard dwarf archetype: short old men with long beards. They don’t have the helpful aspect of many other little folk, though, instead more a race of beings you want to be careful not to piss off. If you disturb their mound, they cause physical ailments ranging from swollen body parts to vomiting blood, peeing black sludge, or growing excessive back hair.

Pkhagalberi

Culture of origin: Vainakh

One of the more powerful mythological races of small stature, the Pkhagalberi were enemies of the Narts, a mythological race of giants. While it might seem the height difference would give the Narts a distinct advantage, the Pkhagalberi were invulnerable to any Nart weapons, which helped to even the playing field.

The internet is shockingly light on further info about this one, aside from the mostly useless detail that the name translated as “Haareriders”.

Pyvsyan’sa

Culture of irign: Komi

Also called: Bannik (Russian)

This distinctly Slavic spirit was the guardian of bathhouses. They’re described as old men with long beards, naked except a covering of birch leaves taken off of worn out bath brooms. They can also shapeshift and look like whatever they darn well please, from a person to a piece of coal in the heating oven.

Bathhouses were seen as liminal spaces in Slavic peasant culture, and were where divinations were often performed. It’s also where many births took place, so great care was taken to make sure the pyvsyan’sa stayed in a good mood. One popular ritual was to suffocate a black hen and leave it unplucked under the building’s threshold. If these protections failed, the pyvsyan’sa would retaliate, often by burning down the bathhouse (which was common, and definitely had nothing to do with the fact that it was a wooden structure where things were kept very hot).

Pyvsyan’sa also had the power of prophecy. One way to consult him was to stand in the open door of the bathhouse with your back exposed. If you felt a gentle stroke, the future looked bright; a strike with claws meant bad times coming.

Sagay

Culture of origin: Philippines

This is but one of many dwende in Filipino myth, which all do tend to take the little people archetype when they have human forms. Some are benevolent—the Tagalog dwende, for instance, is a one-eyed, one-nostriled friendly little person that gives money to people.

The Sagay is one of the more malicious dwende. They inhabit gold mines and claim these riches as their own. They’ll happily trade their wealth, though—in exchange for the blood of children. If that’s not offered voluntarily, they’ll simply steal children at night. Granted, some versions paint a slightly gentler picture, saying the Sagay will give away their gold for mere chicken blood.

Tiyanak

Culture of origin: Philippines

Speaking of malicious little people from the Philippines, the tiyanak is another bloodthirsty creature. Its base form is similar to the standard dwarf—an old man with wrinkled skin and a long beard. Distinguishing features include a flat nose and one leg that’s shorter than the other, which is why it crawls instead of walking.

When it’s on the hunt, the tiyanak takes the form of a toddler or infant. It cries to attract hapless travelers, then returns to its true form to attack them. They also abduct children (natch). Their beef against kids, according to legends, is jealousy. They’re said to be the spirits of children whose mothers died before they were born, resulting in them being born “in the ground.”

Tofu kozo

Culture of origin: Japan

The Japanese tradition has several yokai, or spirits that take on various forms. In the case of the tofu kozo, that form is a child carrying a tray of tofu. Typically they’re depicted with bamboo or kasa on their head and wearing clothes covered in lucky charms.

The tofu kozo is a fully benevolent little folk. In tales, they’re often shown comforting other characters. The worst they’ll do is creepily follow people on rainy nights, but in general they’re shy, friendly, and funny. In fact, they’re more likely to get bullied by other yokai than to be the aggressor.

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