The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

SAMA DAVA

SAMA DAVA LITERALLY MEANS 'ALONE MAIDENS' IN BULGARIAN. THESE
ARE YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL GIRLS WHO HAVE BEEN ABDUCTED BY EVIL
SPIRITS AND TAKEN INTO THE WOODS. HERE THEY REMAIN IMMORTAL,
AS THEY TRY TO TEMPT YOUNG SHEPHERD BOYS INTO JOINING THEM. THE
SAMA DAVA RETURN TO MORTAL WOMEN, IF THEIR SPECIAL CLOTHING IS
STOLEN BY SOME FORTUNATE MAN.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SAID PEASANTS GAVE US THE EXPLANATION OF THE SAMA
DAVA TO EXPLAIN THE DISSAPPEARANCE OF YOUNG GIRLS AND SHEPHERD
BOYS IN RURAL AREAS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): ETIOLOGICAL ; TRANSFORMATION

Date learned: 03-21-1970