In Slavic folklore, the female house spirit often blamed for nightmares and mischief is the Kikimora.
The Kikimora is traditionally associated with the household, where she may behave as either a helpful or troublesome spirit depending on the family’s conduct. A well-kept home might receive her help with chores or chickens, while disorder, cruelty, laziness, or poor discipline could bring nocturnal disturbances such as whistling, broken dishes, strange noises, and tangled spinning.
Her connection with nightmares is reflected in the related Slavic word mora, meaning a nightmare or night spirit. In some regional traditions, a mora enters at night, sits on a sleeper’s chest, and causes choking or terror. Other stories distinguish a house Kikimora from a swamp Kikimora, the latter being linked with forests, wetlands, drowning, and abducting children.
Kikimora is often confused with the domovoi, another household spirit that is generally male and more protective. Baba Yaga is a witch-like figure, while Rusalka is a dangerous water spirit. Modern fantasy sometimes depicts kikimoras as spider-like monsters, but that image—seen in works such as The Witcher—is not the same as the traditional Slavic house spirit.