Old women in the beliefs of the Iranians

In the beliefs of the Iranians, there are many creatures in the form of old women who are often evil and frightening. In many regions, there is a belief in a creature similar to "Āl."

In the beliefs of the people of Tabriz (northwest of Iran), this creature is called "Hāli Naneh". She is a tall woman who wears a long necklace and harasses pregnant women. One day, Hāli Naneh was hanging from the ceiling of a tandir (oven) and was tormenting a pregnant woman. The woman grabbed her necklace, and a stone from Hāli Naneh’s necklace broke off. Hāli Naneh fell into the tandoor pit, and from that day onward, no one has seen her again. In Mahabad, West Azerbaijan, this creature is known as "Shahveh." To protect the mother after childbirth, they place a light, an open knife, and two sickles above her bed at night. In the beliefs of the people of Jahrom, Fars Province, there is also a creature called "Khaleh Ghoolak," who is known to kidnap infants.

You can read more about Iranian evil and good old women written by me here.