Demons strangling people in their sleep - Zmora

At night, when people went to sleep, demons awoke. Beings that instilled great fear among everyone were Zmora, which is why the memory of them has lasted for many centuries.

Zmora were people, usually women, who, offended by someone during the day, went out at night to take revenge. They could appear as mice, moths, or cats, but could also take the form of a thin, pale woman, whose body, under the cold light of the moon, became almost transparent. They would slip through the cracks of huts and palaces. They moved silently, but one was not allowed to speak of them, as hearing their name might cause the Zmora to come and take even greater vengeance.

When this Demon picked its sleeping victim, it would climb onto them, crush them, and strangle them. With a kiss, it would suck out all the air, and its tongue would push deep into their throat. However, the people who turned into Nightmares at night were usually friendly and often unaware of what they were doing.

There were many ways to defend oneself from Zmora. The most popular method was to place one's feet where the head should be, in order to mislead the spirit. In this way, the offended Zmora would flee from the house and never return. It was also said that one should sleep on the right side, as it is the "good" side, or cross one’s arms over their chest. One had to burn the straw they slept on, and the night after an attack should remain sleepless.

To this day, Polish grandmothers sometimes repeat the saying: "It walks like a Zmora".

I was so excited to show you this photoshoot. It's not something I do often but I really needed someone to "fall asleep" while I can become a Zmora. So this is were a collaboration with Slovisha came in handy. I also used a smoke machine that I bought and for now it works great!

Let me know which photo is your favourite and which best describe Zmora.

Love, Erinthul.