In my previous post about Slavic mythology I wrote about main gods of Slavic pantheon, and how myths about them are still present with us through toponoyms and phrases.
This post will not be about other Slavic deities, it will be about some other popular beings from Slavic mythology. These beings are very interesting to me because stories about them still live on in memories of older people. This will, in fact, be a mishmash of old folk tales I have heard and some articles I have found on-line. I have tried to filter information and mention only the most important ones.
Plašila
This is a common name for all mythical creatures that in some manner inflict harm to people. In fact it is quite often that some creatures exist only in tales of people of small geographical areas.
Karakonđula
This is a mythical being popular in both Serbia and Croatia, but with a big difference. In Serbia it is a creature whose appereance is similar to that of a goblin while Croatian version is a water monster.
Serbian Karakonđula is a goblin-like creature who usually lives underground. In winter period of year when they emerge from dirt they trouble humans. They trouble men by jumping on their backs, creating illusions, hallucinations and sucking energy out of them. While with women they use different tactics. They actually cut their faces, or throw them from big heights, they even drown women. ( I guess it has mama issues)
Croatian version is quite different. It is a water snake-like monster who lives in lakes but at night it likes to walk on ground. It is covered in shiny black scales, and can be long at around 5 meters. Interesting thing that sightings of this creature are actual even still today. In Croatia we also have a saying "Best time to witness karakonđula is after 5 litres of red wine"
More
More are mythical beings who look like women. Their sole purpose in life is to visit people who are asleep and then they sit on poor souls chest thus disabling the victims breathing. I the process they suck out life force. Victims usually can not even wake up or they are able to wake up but they are paralysed.
Vukojarac
Vukojarac is a chimera being. It consists of many different animals depending on the description. It usually consists of wolf parts, bear parts, goat parts and sheep parts. Although it does not do direct harm to people it is said that its presence is a sign of great misfortune and evil that is going to plague the community.
Witches
Witches , like in every mythology, come in all shapes and sizes. Witches were originally "more" who got married and then obtained even more power. When Christianity was introduced to Slavs, another explanation for witches was that they were women who sold their souls to the devil.
Witches usually live deep in woods, praying on unwary travelers and lost children. Their motives and evil techniques are different depending on the witch. What is in common with most of them is the ability to shapeshift. In Slavic mythology there is also a being called Baba Yaga, which probably evolved from the godess Mokosh. Baba Yaga is basis for most witch stories.
These are the most famous lower beings that existed in the folklore of our ancestors. I know there are many, many more but I wanted to depict ones that were most scary for the old Slavs. Beside these there existed a big variety of water ladies, nymphs, sea demons, vampires and other undead.
Like I mentioned before there are many sources and I also included tales that I have heard. I am really looking forward to your input.
Thank you for reading.
Image sources:
http://pasaz.rs/nocni-demoni-karakondzula/
http://dinopedia.wikia.com/wiki
http://www.starisloveni.com/Mora.html
https://xrobingoodfellowx.deviantart.com/art/Chimera-658151533
http://www.ziher.hr/hrvatska-mitologija-more-vjestice-i-vukodlaci/