Maa-alused are, in Estonian folk religion, mysterious elf-like creatures that live beneath the ground. They are part of a broader Finno-Ugric tradition of underground spirits, corresponding to the Finnish maahiset and Lude muahiset.
Beliefs and Characteristics
Maa-alused were believed to have a parallel existence to that of humans, but with several key differences. All spatial orientations are reversed in their world: up becomes down, and left becomes right. Additionally, all things possessed by the maa-alused are diminished in size compared to their human counterparts.
Interaction with Humans
People were thought to come into contact with maa-alused either by chance or at the wish of the creatures themselves. Legends tell of distraught maa-alused seeking help from humans in difficult cases of childbirth or illness. It was also believed that a human could marry an elf, though such a marriage would eventually dissolve as the spouse returned to their former home. Hearing the maa-alused going about their daily life was believed to bring bad luck and skin diseases.
Maa-alused as a Disease
In Estonian folklore, the term "maa-alused" (also maalised, maalased, maaljad, maadleine) also refers to a skin disease believed to be caused by maaviha ("earth venom" or "earth spite"). This was a widely recognized illness name for various conditions contracted from the earth, most commonly skin diseases such as ringworm, boils, pimples, scabs, and in some regions, joint diseases.
Etymology
The term maa-alused is Estonian, literally meaning "those under the ground" or "underground ones," from maa ("earth" or "ground") and alused ("those beneath" or "foundation").
Sources
- Encyclopedia of World Religions. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. 2008. p. 674. ISBN 9781593394912.
- Britannica, "Maa-alused | Mythology, Legends, Supernatural Beings"
- Eesti Vikipeedia, "Maa-alused (haigus)"
