Dark, faceless, vaporous entities in vaguely human form.

In Zuni tradition the spirits of the dead remain close to home for four nights before they move on to the Council of the Gods. During this time they are called shadow beings and "...can be observed by seers and by others under certain conditions" (Wright 44). The conditions include fasting, chanting, dancing rhythmically, and other methods that induce a trace-like state.

Also known as shadow folk, or shadow men. The term "shadow being" may refer to a shadow person or animal.

References

Wright, Robert Catlin . Indians of North America. Tyler Pub. Co., 1907.

See Also: Shadow Cats