Al (folklore)

The Al (or Elk) is a spirit in Persian and Armenian mythology that is said to attack pregnant women and steal babies. It is also said to steal a woman's liver, and that its victim and her child would die if the Al touches the liver to water, something it had to do in order to eat it.

Al was supposedly the first companion made for Adam by God. However, since it was made of fire and Adam was made of earth, they were incompatible to each other. The introduction of Eve angered the Al, and this explains why it attacks women.

It is described as half-human and half-animal, with a fiery eye, long thick hair, fingernails made of brass or copper, iron teeth, and the tusks of a boar.

It usually carries scissors. When it wears a pointed hat covered with small bells, it becomes invisible. Elks prefer damp dark places like stables and the wet corners of houses.

The Al cannot touch iron; sticking a needle into its garments will render it unable to do evil. In this state, it is usually made into a servant as it cannot remove the needle on its own. To protect an expectant mother, a sword or knife was kept at bedside to ward off the spirit.

According to Afghan folklore, the Als are young women with floating hair and very long nails who feed upon the corpses of the dead.