Anguana

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As Anguana (of lat. Aqua = water; also Aguana , Guana , Gana , Eguana , Agana , Enguana ) is defined as a demon of the Ladin or Romanch mythology , see FIG. South Tyrolean legends .

It is said that if you offend them, they should bring bad luck for a lifetime. They can mostly be found near springs and streams, which is why a connection with the mermaids cannot be ruled out. You can appear as beautiful, young, attractive women as well as old, ugly women with goat feet. They have similarities with the Vilen . In essence, they should be benign and a blessing on their part should really bring about this.

Allegedly they live by streams, springs or in caves and wash linen . Also, they should only be seen at dawn and dusk. Sometimes they are supposed to marry people, similar to the fairies , but then the man is not allowed to touch their blond hair. In addition, they should give "infinite gifts" (things that never end).

At Nonsberg it was believed that they were witches or other beings, but that they had been banned by the Council of Trent and therefore could no longer "haunt".

In the Ladin language they are abbreviated as Gana (singular) or Ganes (plural). In addition to the Ganes, there are also the Salvans (Salvangs) as forest people (from the Latin silva = forest).

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