Tradition: Indian Mythology
Alternative Names: Chauga, Čauga, Lao, Yau
Category: Ghost
The Myth
Lau are the spirits of the dead in the mythology of the Indigenous peoples of the Andaman Islands. They are commonly described as invisible spirits or as pale, white figures with a terrifying appearance. Their presence belongs to the unseen world of the dead, where departed souls continue to exist beyond the sight of the living.
The name Lau is also known as Chauga among the peoples of South Andaman. These spirits represent the dead as supernatural beings whose appearance and presence can inspire fear. They may remain unseen, or manifest as pale figures whose strange appearance distinguishes them from ordinary living people.
The terms Lau and Chauga were also used by Andamanese people to describe mainland Indians, Europeans, and many other foreigners, whose appearance differed from their own. In this way, the name associated with the spirits of the dead was also connected to the unfamiliar appearance of outsiders.
Sources
“Lau.” New Bestiary (Bestiary.us). https://www.bestiary.us/lau