site-bound-until-substitute-claimed

Ma Da · salience 0.95

“The defining feature of Ma Da across tellings is the belief that a drowned soul cannot pass on to its next life until another living person drowns in the same spot to "take its place," a folk concept known as "thế mạng" (substitution of a life), described in phrasings such as "tìm người thế mạng" (find someone to substitute a life).”

Strigoi · salience 0.6

“others describe it more simply as a shambling revenant tied closely to its own grave and village.”