 Stamp featuring Lukash and Mavka fromThe Forest Song | |
| Creature information | |
|---|---|
| Other name | Ukrainian:Нявка |
| Grouping | Female legendary creatures |
| Folklore | Slavic paganism |
| Origin | |
| Country |  Ukraine |
| Region | Ukrainian Carpathians |
Mavka (Ukrainian:Мавка[ˈmɑu̯kɐ]) orNyavka[1] (Ukrainian:Нявка[ˈnʲɑu̯kɐ]) is a type of female spirit inUkrainian folklore andmythology. The Mavka is a long-haired "Soul of the Forest", typically depicted as a temptress figure who lures men to their deaths.[2][3][a]
There is variation in the names and spelling, includingUkrainian:Мавка,mavka,[4]навка,navka,[5]нявка,nyavka.[6] However, depending on telling, there are differences between the Mavka andNyavka. These terms all derive fromProto-Slavic *navь 'the dead', and arecognate withBulgarian:нави,navi (plural).
The spirits known by this term represented the souls of girls who had died unnatural, tragic or premature deaths, particularly unchristened babies.[4]Mavkas often appear in the form of beautiful young girls who entice and lure young men into the woods, where they "tickle" them to death.[7]Mavkas have no reflection in water, nor do they cast shadows. In some accounts, they were also said to help farmers by looking after cattle and driving out wild animals.
A subtype of the Mavkas are theNyavkas, which behave the same except for having "no back", meaning that their spine and some other insides can be seen;[b] the most defining feature between determining Mavkas andNyavkas is whether or not the insides are visible from the back.
Mavkas andNyavkas were believed to live in groups in forests, mountain caves, or sheds, which they decorated with rugs. They made thread of stolen flax and wove thin transparent cloth for making clothes for themselves. They loved flowers, which they wore in their hair. In the spring, they planted flowers in the mountains, to which they enticed young men, whom they tickled to death. OnPentecost (known asNavka's Easter,Ukrainian:На́вський Вели́кдень),[8] they held games, dances, and orgies. Ademon accompanied them on aflute orpipes.
To save anunchristened baby's soul, one must throw up a kerchief duringPentecost holidays, say their name and add "I baptise you". The rescued soul would then go toheaven. If the soul lived up to seven years and did not go to heaven, the baby would turn into amavka and haunt the earth.
