Baba Yaga

Baba Yaga Bony Leg, Iaga baba

A primordial character of the Slavic mythology who initially was a godhood of death. She is described as a woman with the looks of a hag/crone with the tail of a snake.

This supernatural being is found in some tales to be one of a trio of sisters who, most commonly, inhabits a primeval forest which is perceived to be a border between the world of the living and the dead. She guarded the entrance to the Kingdom of the Dead and saw off souls of the dead into their final journey.

She travelled in a hut which stood on chicken legs and the hut itself were surrounded by a palisade-type fence made from human bones and skulls.

Baba Yaga's Hut, Artist: Unknown

She rides over the world in an iron mortar to which her witch's broom is attached. Whenever she wants it to move faster she uses a stick/mop/broom/pestle/iron beater to bang on the side of the mortar.

People believed she could live in any village taking care of animals, fostering children, cooking, just like any other woman.

Just like witches she has animals in her service, such as black cats, snakes, ravens and frogs. Her powers though are greater than any ordinary witch. She foretells the future, has untold wealth and hidden knowledge.

The West Slavic peoples told tales about a figure named Ježibaba, who are related to Baba Yaga. They may stem from a figure dated back further than the medieval period.