 According to "The Nuttall Encyclopædia", these spirits were regarded as the ghosts of deceased ancestors.Called "Dama Branca" or "Mulher de Branco" in Portuguese, the Brazilian Lady in White is said to be the ghost of a young woman who died of childbirth or violent causes.According to legend, she appears as a pale woman in a long white dress or a sleeping gown, and although usually speechless, will occasionally recount her misfortunes.