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Illustrations taken from Orozko haraneko kondaira mitiko ilustratuak by Floren Usia Barbara. Orozko Council, 2021. Treatment of images: Irati Zarandona.

Some people are believed to possess certain minuscule creatures who help them with their daily chores. They are capable of prodigious undertakings and often grant otherwise unattainable wishes when summoned.

These mysterious beings or genies receive multiple names in Basque: pamerialak or familiarrak —because they belong in the household—, gaizkinak —or ‘little devils’, though they are not naturally evil nor benign— mamorroak or mozorroak —or ‘bugs’—, airetikakoak —or ‘air creatures’—… They are occasionally described as tiny, almost imperceptible men, dressed in red pants, known in several places as galtzagorriak or prakagorriak —from galtza or praka ‘pants’ and gorriak ‘red’—. Some claim that they are neither male nor female, and others insist that they resemble flies or even lice.

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