Folklore & Fairytales discussion

I've been interested in the folklore about Baba Yaga ever since reading Patricia A McKillip's In the Forests of Serre. Does anyone know anything about Baba Yaga?

It seems that Baba Yaga was probably originally a pagan Russian goddess similar perhpas to Frau Holle or the Perchten in Germanic religion. After the Christianisation of pagan Europe and later pagan Russia, these erstwhile benign deities became more and more negative, but still remained part of general lore, and do retain a both positive and negative personality. Now, Baba Yaga is more often than not negative and witch like in Russian folklore, more negative than Frau Holle and the Perchten, in fact, but there are definitely Russian folktales where she is a positive force, frightening perhpas, but helpful to those who deserve this, who are kind and approach her with respect.

One of my favourite Russian folktales is about the falcon Helfinist and how he is libearated (a bit like a Russian Beauty and the Beast story, except that the heroine is much more active). And in this quest, she is aided by Baba Yaga (actually multiple Baba Yagas, all of them sisters).

That's interesting. I thought she was always viewed negatively, and I had no idea of pagan origins to the folklore surrounding her. I think Patricia A McKillip's character based on her used aspects of the Russian and Polish tales of Baba Yaga, so that makes sense that her character was mostly negative. I'll have to read that other tale you mentioned; I haven't read it. Are all the sisters negative characters?

Suzanne wrote: "That's interesting. I thought she was always viewed negatively, and I had no idea of pagan origins to the folklore surrounding her. I think Patricia A McKillip's character based on her used aspects..."

Most of the Baba Yaga tales are negative, but as I pointed out, I have also read a few Russian tales where she is more positive and more nuanced. And in the tale, the sisters are a bit frightening, and demand respect, but ultimately positive and helpful. I have only ever read the tale in German translation, but I think that it is also available in English,

Finist: The Falcon Prince

Finist the Falcon

(but I have no idea what these two books are like)

Another good modern day book to features Baba Yaga is Except the Queen by Jane Yolen and Midori Snyder.

Here's a big bunch of fairy tales with Baba Yaga:
http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/ba...

Mary wrote: "Another good modern day book to features Baba Yaga is Except the Queen by Jane Yolen and Midori Snyder.

Here's a big bunch of fairy tales with Baba Yaga..."

Cool, I'll check those out. Thanks!!

Check out this scholarly tome on Baba Yaga, have just started, but am impressed so far, Baba Yaga: The Ambiguous Mother and Witch of the Russian Folktale.

Manybooks wrote: "Check out this scholarly tome on Baba Yaga, have just started, but am impressed so far, Baba Yaga: The Ambiguous Mother and Witch of the Russian Folktale."

Awesome! Thanks! The Russian tales of her are the ones I'm most familiar with. I'm interested in seeing how the different tales compare. I also wonder was the first documented story of her Russian?

Donna wrote: "Manybooks wrote: "Check out this scholarly tome on Baba Yaga, have just started, but am impressed so far, Baba Yaga: The Ambiguous Mother and Witch of the Russian Folktale."

Awesome! ..."

I will get back to you on that once I have read more, a bit academic, but I prefer that (she is being compared to other similar figures like Frau Holle and Bertha, and she is a figure in most Slavic cultures, it seems).

Manybooks wrote: "Donna wrote: "Manybooks wrote: "Check out this scholarly tome on Baba Yaga, have just started, but am impressed so far, [book:Baba Yaga: The Ambiguous Mother and Witch of the Russian Folktale|81836..."

Yeah, I guess a comparison to those makes sense with her having both good and bad characteristics. I was under the impression that they were aliases for the same figure. Do you know if the other aspects of her story - such as details of her hut, etc - change with each culture?

Donna wrote: "Manybooks wrote: "Donna wrote: "Manybooks wrote: "Check out this scholarly tome on Baba Yaga, have just started, but am impressed so far, [book:Baba Yaga: The Ambiguous Mother and Witch of the Russ..."

No I do not, sorry.

For a less scholarly story check out Clarissa Pinkola Estes' tale:
The Goddess and the Wheel: Baba Yaga – Wicked Witches and Wild Women

Enid wrote: "For a less scholarly story check out Clarissa Pinkola Estes' tale:
The Goddess and the Wheel: Baba Yaga – Wicked Witches and Wild Women"

Thanks, I'll definitely check that out!

If anyone is interest in reading a great Middle Grade novel that features the positive and nurturing aspects of Baba Yaga, all framed in a lovely story about personal responsibility, growing up, family and making friends, I can highly recommend Sophie Anderson's The House with Chicken Legs.

Just to blow my own trumpet a moment, if Baba Yaga has sparked interest in other Slavic folkloric figures may I recommend my illustrated book - Black Earth: A Field Guide to the Slavic Otherworld.
Thanks

http://www.blurb.co.uk/b/8125531-blac...

Andy wrote: "Just to blow my own trumpet a moment, if Baba Yaga has sparked interest in other Slavic folkloric figures may I recommend my illustrated book - Black Earth: A Field Guide to the Slavic Otherworld. ..."

Oh thanks, another book to add

Bumping this old thread because Baba Yaga has been on my mind lately. I love how she's never just 'evil witch' — there's always more layers. Anyone still around who wants to share their favorite story or interpretation?