Tradition: Portuguese Mythology
Alternative Names: Maruxinho
Category: Dwarf, Fairy
The Myth
The Marushinhos are small, frail magical creatures said to live among the ruins of old castles and in underground tunnels beneath Northern Portugal, particularly around the municipality of Chaves in the district of Vila Real. They are short in stature, thin and delicate in build, with dark faces and large eyes. Their underground homes are hidden among ruined structures and within networks of tunnels, some of which are believed to extend beneath towns and cities.
Despite their fragile appearance, the Marushinhos are exceptionally cunning and elusive. They are able to conceal themselves in even the smallest spaces and can squeeze through practically any crack or opening. Their ability to disappear into narrow crevices makes them difficult to find and gives them their reputation as creatures of the hidden underground world.
Their remarkable ability to crawl through impossibly small spaces became part of everyday Portuguese expression. Someone who is extremely thin and capable of squeezing through almost anything may be compared to a Marushinho. In this way, the little underground beings became not only creatures of folklore but also a metaphor for someone exceptionally thin, agile, and capable of getting through narrow places.
Sources
“Marushinyu.” New Bestiary (Bestiary.us). Accessed October 4, 2026. https://www.bestiary.us/marushinyu