Tradition: Belarusian Mythology
Alternative names: Lantuch, Lantukh, Lantuchakh
Category: Demon
The Myth
Lantukhi are small, mischievous spirits in the folklore of Eastern European Jews. They are generally harmless but enjoy causing disorder and playing tricks on people. They are sometimes described as brownie-like beings and may leave footprints resembling those of a huge bird.
Lantukhi can also interfere with travelers, taking on the role of a troublesome goblin or water spirit. They may try to push travelers from bridges or confuse them in forests, laughing loudly when their tricks succeed.
In Jewish folklore from Belarus, the Lantukhi are associated with petty mischief and hooliganism rather than serious evil. Stories about them were especially popular among the Jews of Belarus.
One tale tells of a learned Talmudist who remained alone in a synagogue at night, reading the Gemara. Since he was forbidden to sleep, he relied on tobacco to stay awake, but he had none. Suddenly, a huge red tongue emerged from the women’s gallery and began moving about, as if offering him something to smell. The man took the tobacco, and the strange apparition immediately disappeared. The spirit was identified as a Lantuch, who had appeared to help the scholar with his work.
Another tradition describes a Lantuch as a playful demon possessing a very long tongue. It could frighten or tease people by pushing its tongue through a window. This form is closely related to the Belarusian character Lick, another frightening being whose unusually long tongue was said to lick disobedient children until they bled.
Sources
“Lantukhi.” New Bestiary (Bestiary.us). Accessed August 30, 2026. https://www.bestiary.us/Lantukhi
