Lamia (Basque mythology)

They are depicted as beautiful, long-haired women with webbed duck feet, usually found at the river shore brushing their hair with a golden comb and seducing men.

[citation needed] Mythology in coastal areas includes itsaslamiak, a variety of lamiak who live in the sea and have fish-like tails, similar to a mermaid.

For example, if a farmer were to leave food for them at the river shore, they would eat it at night and in exchange finish ploughing his field.

They are given different names: Maideak, Mairiak, Mairuak, Intxixuak (in Oiartzun, Gipuzkoa), Saindi Maidi (in Lower Navarre).

Many toponyms are related to lamiak, including Lamikiz (Markina), Laminaputzu (in Zeanuri), Lamitegi (in Bedaio), Lamirain (in Arano), Lamusin (in Sare), Lamiñosin (in Ataun).