The Yehasuri

The Yehasuri are mischievous, dwarf-like nature spirits from Catawba Tribes (South Carolina) and Lumbee folklore, often called "wild people" or "little people". Roughly two feet tall and hairy, they live in forests, often in tree stumps, and are known for playing pranks like braiding horses' manes or causing colic in babies by bewitching clothes, similar to European fae, and are used as bogeymen to teach children good behaviour. While generally mischievous rather than purely malicious, they can be dangerous, especially if provoked, and some lore mentions magical arrows or stealing footprints and shadows. 

Key Characteristics:

• Appearance: Small (around 2 feet tall), hairy humanoids.
• Habitat: Forests, often residing in tree stumps.
• Diet: Acorns, roots, fungi, frogs, bugs, and turtles.
• Behaviour: Tricksters, similar to European fairies, who play pranks but can be formidable if angered.
• Role: Used as cautionary figures (bogeymen) to encourage good behaviour in children. 

Common Legends & Tricks:

• Kidnapping children or stealing their footprints/shadows.
• Braiding horses' manes and tails.
• Causing colic by placing spells on clothes left out at night.
• Making destructive messes or undoing human work if disrespected. 

Protection:

• Rubbing tobacco on hands and reciting a Catawba prayer is said to ward them off,  "dugare ini para'ti na yehasuri deme hana te we stere yanamusi sere".

Cultural Context:

• The term "Yehasuri" (meaning "wild little people") is specific to the Catawba, but similar "Little People" figures appear in other Southeastern tribes, like the Lumbee.