Mavka: Difference between revisions
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== Popular culture == |
== Popular culture == |
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{{transl|uk|Mavka}}s are depicted in literature, most notably in [[Lesia Ukrainka]]'s ''[[The Forest Song]]'' and nyavkas are depicted in [[Mykhailo Kotsiubynsky]]'s ''[[Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors]]''.{{cn|date=July 2022}} In modern culture the {{transl|uk|mavka}} image is developed and narrated by a Ukrainian music band [[Mavka (band)|Mavka]].{{cn|date=July 2022}} and the movie [[ |
{{transl|uk|Mavka}}s are depicted in literature, most notably in [[Lesia Ukrainka]]'s ''[[The Forest Song]]'' and nyavkas are depicted in [[Mykhailo Kotsiubynsky]]'s ''[[Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors]]''.{{cn|date=July 2022}} In modern culture the {{transl|uk|mavka}} image is developed and narrated by a Ukrainian music band [[Mavka (band)|Mavka]].{{cn|date=July 2022}} and the movie [[Mavka. The Forest Song]]. |
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In addition, on January 12, 2022, the Ukrainian singer Eria released the song "Mavka", which deals with {{transl|uk|mavka}}s and made Mavka famous especially among Ukrainian Eurovision fans.{{cn|date=July 2022}} |
In addition, on January 12, 2022, the Ukrainian singer Eria released the song "Mavka", which deals with {{transl|uk|mavka}}s and made Mavka famous especially among Ukrainian Eurovision fans.{{cn|date=July 2022}} |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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*''[[Forest Song]]'' (1963 film) |
*''[[Forest Song]]'' (1963 film) |
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*''[[Mavka (Authentix)]]'' (song by Authentix) |
*''[[Mavka (Authentix)]]'' (song by Authentix) |
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* [[Mare (folklore)]] |
* [[Mare (folklore)]] |
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Revision as of 14:57, 15 April 2023
 Illustration of Nyavka | |
| Grouping | Female legendary creatures |
|---|---|
| Folklore | Slavic paganism |
| Other name(s) | Ukrainian: Нявка |
| Country |  Ukraine |
| Region | Ukrainian Carpathians |
Mavka (Ukrainian: Мавка) is a type of female spirit in Ukrainian folklore and mythology. The Mavka is a long-haired figure, sometimes naked, typically depicted as temptress figures who lure men to their deaths.[1][2][a]
Terminology
There is variation in the names and spelling, including Ukrainian: Мавка, mavka,[3] навка, navka,[4] нявка, nyavka.[5] However, depending on telling, there are differences between the Mavka and Nyavka. These terms all derive from Proto-Slavic *navь 'the dead', and are cognate with Bulgarian: нави, navi (plural).
Folklore
The spirits known by this term represented the souls of girls who had died unnatural, tragic or premature deaths, particularly unchristened babies.[3] Mavkas often appear in the form of beautiful young girls who entice and lure young men into the woods, where they "tickled" them to death.[6] 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.
Nyavka has "no back", meaning that their insides can be seen.[b] It is one of the primary distinctions between the Mavka and the Nyavka.
They 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. On Pentecost (known as Navka's Easter, Ukrainian: На́вський Вели́кдень)[7] they held games, dances, and orgies. A demon accompanied them on a flute or pipes.
To save an unchristened baby's soul, one must throw up a kerchief during Pentecost holidays, say their name and add "I baptise you". The rescued soul would then go to heaven. If the soul lived up to seven years and did not go to heaven, the baby would turn into a mavka and haunt the earth.
Popular culture
Mavkas are depicted in literature, most notably in Lesia Ukrainka's The Forest Song and nyavkas are depicted in Mykhailo Kotsiubynsky's Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors.[citation needed] In modern culture the mavka image is developed and narrated by a Ukrainian music band Mavka.[citation needed] and the movie Mavka. The Forest Song.
In addition, on January 12, 2022, the Ukrainian singer Eria released the song "Mavka", which deals with mavkas and made Mavka famous especially among Ukrainian Eurovision fans.[citation needed]
See also
- Mavka. The Forest Song (2023 animeted film)
- Forest Song (1963 film)
- Mavka (Authentix) (song by Authentix)
- Mare (folklore)
- Naiad
- Nymph
- Revenant
- Succubus
Notes
- ^ Kushnir (2014), quote: "Mavka is different from other types of female spirits in that her evil is not intentional. At the sight of a young man, she falls into a trance and realizes her actions too late to change anything. Mavka is a very beautiful young maiden with very long hair ..."
- ^ Those were more often called "Nyavka" and they were believed to live in Western Ukraine, which has more dangerous mountain rivers than Central Ukraine, while Mavkas, who were believed to live in Central Ukraine, had their backs.
References
Citations
- ^ Bilodid (1973), p. 587, volume 4.
- ^ Kushnir (2014).
- ^ a b Hrinchenko (1958), volume 2, article 395.
- ^ Hrinchenko (1958), volume 2, article 471.
- ^ Hrinchenko (1958), volume 2, article 573.
- ^ Halaychyk (2016), pp. 181–183.
- ^ Hrinchenko (1958), volume 2, article 474.
Works cited
- Buynova, Tatyana Yuryevna (2008). Дети Сварога: Мифы восточных славян [Children of Svarog: Myths of East Slavs] (in Russian). Akvilegia. ISBN 9785901942611. OL 33980381M.
- Bilodid, Ivan Kostyovych, ed. (1973). Словник української мови: в 11 томах [Dictionary of the Ukrainian Language: in 11 volumes] (in Ukrainian).
- Halaichuk, V. (2016). Українська міфологія [Ukrainian Mythology] (in Ukrainian). Клуб Сімейного Дозвілля.
- Hrinchenko, B. (1958). Словарь української мови / Упор. з дод. влас. матеріалу Б. Грінченко: в 4-х т. [Dictionary of the Ukrainian language / Ref. with addn. own material by B. Hrinchenko: in 4 volumes — K.] (in Ukrainian). Академії наук Української РСР.
- Kushnir, Dmitriy (2014). Creatures of Slavic myth. USA. ISBN 978-1-5056-2802-9. OCLC 1003859523.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
External links
- "Mavka" — Internet Encyclopedia of Ukraine
- "Kostroma" — Encyclopedia of Mythology (in Russian)