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The Fext Phenomenon in Early Modern Bohemia

Publication at Faculty of Arts |
2021

Abstract

In this transdisciplinary paper, I will introduce the phenomenon of the so-called "Fext" in the environment of Early Modern Bohemia. A Fext is a mythical undead creature.

This is a popular designation for a human whose body was exhumed and found not to be decayed. Their bodies did not disintegrate, but merely withered.

The Fext, possessing a wide range of abilities, was usually invincible to bullets, except bullets made of glass. In some legends, Fexts were able to move even after death, usually if someone had stolen some of their remains, which then they tried to take back.

The legends explain the birth of the Fext in different ways. In many cases, a human sold his soul to Devil in exchange for invulnerability or he could reach it by performing magic.