Tradition: Latvian Mythology
Alternative Names: Urguči
Category: Ghost
The Myth
The Urguči are spirits of the dead in Latvian mythology who were traditionally welcomed with offerings of food and drink. During a ritual, the spirits were summoned to join a feast and were given nourishment before being ceremonially sent back to the world of the dead. The ritual involved washing and preparing food and drink for the visiting spirits, allowing the living to honour the dead and share a temporary gathering with them.
The Urguči are particularly associated with Simjuda Day, a traditional day connected with the remembrance of the dead. During the observance, the spirits were invited to partake in the offerings before being dismissed at the end of the gathering. They were understood as beings who could return temporarily to the world of the living, accept the hospitality offered to them, and then depart once the ritual was complete.
The Urguči may have been imagined as spirits whose presence was accompanied by indistinct, growling, or roaring sounds. Their precise appearance is not described, but their association with ritual feasting and the return of the dead makes them distinctive among Latvian spirits. Their visits represent a temporary meeting between the living and the deceased, in which offerings provide a way to welcome the dead while ensuring that they eventually return to their own realm.
Sources
“Urguči.” Vikipēdija (Latvian Wikipedia). Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed October 15, 2026. https://lv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urgu%C4%8Di