These female demons or sorceresses were mothers of the
Huns in ancient
Germany. They practiced
metamorphosis, changing into all sorts of shapes but never changing their
gender.
The Germans gave the name to little statues, to which they attributed great virtue.
The statues were richly clothed, given comfortable housing, and served food and drink at every meal. It was believed that the images would bring severe misfortune upon any household which neglected them.