In reply to my fellow Jonathan below, there was a brief thread on H-Africa a few months past regarding folktales of"Mysterious Dwarves" in various parts of Africa.
Interesting stuff. I wonder if there are really 'little people' legends in all the world's cultures? I'm wondering now about East Asia.... there are several Japanese folktales about very tiny individuals (Momotaro, Little one-inch, the Bamboo Cutter's Daughter, are the ones that come to mind offhand), and tricky forest spirits (tengu demons and foxes, mostly). I don't know of any in China, but my Chinese folklore is pretty weak.
Thanks, and Welcome
Interesting stuff. I wonder if there are really 'little people' legends in all the world's cultures? I'm wondering now about East Asia.... there are several Japanese folktales about very tiny individuals (Momotaro, Little one-inch, the Bamboo Cutter's Daughter, are the ones that come to mind offhand), and tricky forest spirits (tengu demons and foxes, mostly). I don't know of any in China, but my Chinese folklore is pretty weak.