Who are Russian Domovoi and Baba Yaga?

[caption id="attachment_27611" align="alignleft" width="166" caption=""Domovoi""][/caption]

Russians in general have been known as a superstitious nation. Ancient pagan tribes with their history and traditions contributed to the development of the Russian folklore, which is full of both kind and antagonistic characters. A domovoi is a house spirit in Slavic folklore, which is seen as the home's guardian. It is a tiny creature covered in hair, which could take on the appearance of the owners of the house, or even cats or dogs.

Traditionally, every house is said to have its domovoi. Even though domovoi is associated with the devil it does not do evil unless angered by the owners of the house.  The favorite places for domovoi are under the stove or under the door. It is believed that domovoi could forewarn about the future. He would moan or make noise to warn of coming trouble. He would show himself to warn of death, and if he was weeping it was said to be a death in the family. If he was laughing, good times could be expected.

According to Russian folklore one’s own domovoi could be considered as a friend. However the neighbors, in most cases, would not be treated nicely, as domovoi could steal their grain to feed the horses of his own household. If domovoi is unhappy he would move some objects in the house so that one can’t find them, or break dishes. It has been said that peasants fed him nightly in return for protection of their house. When a new house was built, the homeowner would attract domovoi by placing a piece of bread by the stove.  When moving, the homeowner would offer an old boot as a hiding place for domovoi and say: "Domovoi! Domovoi! Don't stay here but come with me!" So if you intend to marry your beautiful Russian bride, don’t be surprised to find an old boot in her suitcase, and be prepared to welcome her domovoi as well! In fact, even though I am not superstitious, the first gift my husband got from me was a little domovoi doll, which he thought was very funny.

[caption id="attachment_27613" align="alignleft" width="166" caption=""Baba Yaga in the hut on chicken legs.""][/caption]

Baba-Yaga is a witch in Slavic folklore. She flies around on a broomstick and lives in a hut that stands on chicken legs. In 1948, Russian archaeologists Yefimenko and Tretyakov discovered similar small huts with traces of corpse cremation and circular fences around them, which indicates that funeral traditions of  ancient Slavs are associated with huts of this type.  This may be a connection to the Baba Yaga myth. In most Slavic folk tales, she is portrayed as an evil charachter.

Both Baba Yaga and domovoi  are favorite subjects of Russian cartoons and fairy tales. The cartoon “Domovenok Kuzya”, featuring Baba Yaga and domovoi, has been popular in Russia and former USSR countries for decades.  This cartoon is displayed below.