dògai

Female mischief-making spirits of the western islands of the Torres Straits (Melanesia). They dress as ordinary women but have hideous features, long, skinny legs, and huge ears. One of these ears is used as a bed, the other functions as a blanket. The dògai are sometimes able to assume the shape of beautiful women and in this guise deceive human beings. They are also able to transform themselves into animals, rocks, trees, and even constellations. They play tricks on people, but are easily outwitted.

On some occasions however, they are known to kill boys and girls, and parents threaten naughty children with stories of the dògai.

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