ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Shtriga

Shtriga (pronounced SHH-tree-ga) is a word that comes from Albanian folklore. It’s tricky to explain, but I’ll try my best.

Have you ever heard of a witch? Well, a shtriga is kind of like a witch, but a bit different. A shtriga is a scary creature that can turn into a bird or a moth. They are usually women, although there are some male shtrigas as well.

One thing that makes a shtriga different from a witch is that they don’t use magic to cast spells or make potions. Instead, they suck the blood out of children while they sleep. This might sound really gross, but it’s just a made-up story, so don’t worry.

To protect against shtrigas, families used to hang garlic or put an iron nail near their children while they slept. They also believed that if a shtriga touched a child, the child would get sick or die.

In the old days, people were really afraid of shtrigas, but these days they are just a part of Albanian mythology. They are still scary creatures in stories and movies, but you don’t have to worry about them in real life.
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