Táltos

hero · Hungary · Balkan

Táltos is the shaman-healer of Hungarian folklore, a person marked at birth by extra teeth or fingers, a caul, or premature speech, who gains supernatural knowledge, communicates with spirits, and heals the sick. The táltos could shapeshift into animals and duel rival shamans. Documented by folklorist Éva Pócs, the figure links Hungarian belief to Eurasian shamanic traditions.

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