Hija

The Hija is a figure in Albanian mythology.

In northern Albania it is believed that it is the soul of a deceased person. After a night with the corpse, she was able to leave the grave and wander freely, mostly to the places where the deceased lived. At night only dogs could see the hija. When a dog barked at night for no reason, it was assumed that the hija was bringing the message to the soul of a living person that they would soon be united, that someone would soon die.

In central Albania it is believed that the Hija is a ghost or demon . According to the translations of the writer Gjon Buzuku , it is a ghost .

literature

• Robert Elsie: Handbook to Albanian Folk Culture. Mythology, religion, popular belief, customs, customs and cultural characteristics. Center for Albanian Studies, London 2002, ISBN 978-1508986300 .