Lantukh
Lantukh
The lantukh is a kind of Jewish house spirit, sometimes described as an imp, hobgoblin, sprite or little Demon. There are male and female lantukhs. They live in corners of homes: behind the stove, in the basement, sometimes in wood sheds, usually one per home. The Lantukh is usually emotionally attached to the house: it may love, actively dislike or be neutral towards the people with whom it lives.
The lantukh can be a prankster. It may amuse itself by frightening people but it rarely causes harm. The lantukh may become very attached to the people with whom it lives and may consider him or herself as part of the family. If so, then the lantukh will work diligently to help and protect them. Author Isaac Bashevis Singer tells the story of a lantukh who cared fora bed-ridden widow and her blind daughter. Every night, the lantukh went out to find food and chop wood for the household.
If the lantukh doesn’t like the family, it will just play tricks. If it really can’t stand them, it may attempt to force them from the home by ever-escalating tricks. They are generally not malicious or harmful, though. Lantukh may derive from Lutin. A lantukh appears in S. Ansky’s 1904 epic, Ashmeday.
MANIFESTATION:
The lantukh resembles a little imp or goblin; they’re about the size of toddlers but can make themselves invisible at will
Animal: Lantukh adore crickets: they bring them food and protect them.
SEE ALSO:
Ashmodai; Demon; Kikimora; Kobold; Lutin
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses – Written by : Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.
