Buda
Buda (Ge'ez: ቡዳ) is a powerful and feared figure in Eritrean and Ethiopian folk religion, representing the supernatural power of the evil eye combined with the ability to shapeshift into a hyena. The belief is deeply rooted in the highland cultures of Eritrea, particularly among Tigrinya-speaking communities. Buda is believed to be a power held and wielded by specific individuals, often associated with marginalized social groups such as metalworkers (täbbäb), potters, tanners, and weavers. The power is thought to be hereditary, transmitted through family lines, and can be either conscious or u