The most common designation of these beings is “Fairy” – Vila in most Slavic languages, Samovila/Samodiva in Bulgarian.
Vila are a type of minor goddesses, already identified as Nymphs by the Greek historian Procopius. They are described as beautiful, eternally young, dressed in white, with eyes flashing like thunders. They live in the clouds, in mountain woods or in the waters. They are well-disposed towards men, and they are able to turn themselves into horses, wolves, snakes, falcons and swans.
The cult of the Vilas was still practised among South Slavs in the early twentieth century, with offerings of fruits and flowers in caves, cakes near wells, and ribbons hanged to the branches of trees.
