Dayan (witch)

Dayan, Daayan, Ḍāin or Ḍāini is a malevolent spirit or ghost in Indian folklore and Pakistani folklore, often of a woman who died under traumatic or unresolved circumstances (death in childbirth, murder). The term is often translated into English as "witch", though this translation can be misleading, as a daayan is typically understood as a vengeful supernatural spirit, rather than a living human practitioner of harmful magic (maleficium), and is therefore not equivalent to the Western concept of witchcraft. The term daayan has been derived from the Sanskrit word dakini, which refers to a female paranormal entity from patala (the netherworld). Dakinis have been described in medieval Hindu texts such as the Bhagavata Purana, Brahma Purana, Markandeya Purana and Kathasaritsagara as female fiendish spirits in the train of Kali who feed on human flesh.

Daayans have sometimes been compared to malevolent female spirits such as the succubi of Western folklore. They also resemble vampiresses based on their alleged feeding behaviours that require the blood or life-force of their victims. Powerful and older daayans are referred to as ekayans in some places. The primary source of a daayan's power is described as her unusually long braid (choti), that is used as an additional limb, which can be flexed, stretched, retracted and regenerated to do whatever the daayan pleases. The daayan is also described as having long and monstrous black nails, and feet that face backwards. It is said that once a daayan lays her evil eye on someone, it is a bad omen for the whole household of that person. Daayans are regarded as one of the most powerful paranormal beings in Indian folklore.