Baba Yaga: The Wise Witch of Slavic

Folklore
www.historicmysteries.com |
Jim H
June 8, 2016

Baba Yaga, also known as Baba Iaga, is one of the most famous
witches in Slavic folklore. She is a popular figure in childrens fairy
tales, and was one of the common stories of the Russian oral tradition.
Her origin is part of her mystery. The first written reference to her was
in 1755 in Mikhail W. Lomonosovs Russian Grammar, where she is
listed amongst ancient figures from Slavic tradition. The indication is
that the legend began in pre-Christian, pagan times where people were very superstitious and
believed that their fates were not of their own making but at the mercy of other-worldly deities.

The Russian Baba witch riding on her mortar, carrying her broom in one hand and a child in the
other. Victor Vasentsov

Origin of Her Name

Baba Yaga has a variety of meanings. Baba has been translated as old woman, hag, or
grandmother, depending on which Slavic language is being referenced. Yaga or Iaga has no
definitive scholarly consensus. The word means horror and shudder in Serbian and Croatian, anger
in Slovenian, witch in old Czech, wicked wood nymph in Modern Czech, witch and fury in Polish,
and serpent or snake in Sanskrit.

What Does She Look Like?

The Russian witch is described as a deformed, scraggly old woman with bony legs, a very long
crooked nose, piercing cold eyes, and iron teeth. Her demeanor is powerful and unpredictable. Her
intention is to instill fear and guarded respect in anyone who encounters her. Every body part of
the Baba witch is grotesque.

Baba Yagas hut standing on its chicken legs,

1900. Ivan Bilibin.

House of Baba Yaga

The Russian Baba witch lives deep in the forest

in a hut that rests on giant chicken legs that can
move around the forest to make it harder for
anyone to find her. The windows serve as eyes
to watch over her domain and the fence post
around the hut is built out of human bones and is
topped with human skulls. When her house
moves it spins while emitting a screeching
noise, until it comes to settle down with groans
 and creaks. And it prefers to turn its back toward
all visitors.

Folklore of the Slavic Witch

Various versions of the Baba Yaga

witch story state that she is either a single witch or a trio of witches who all have the same name.
Most tales say that she rides around the forest in a giant mortar. She also uses her mortar and
pestle to grind up the bones of the people she eats. When flying, she uses the huge pestle like a
rudder. She holds it in her right hand while she holds a broom in her left hand to wipe away her
trail. A few tales have her using the traditional witches broom for transportation. The baba witch
can remove her hands from her body so she can have them do her bidding.

She has the power to help or hurt anyone who crosses her path. Those who seek her wisdom, truth,
and knowledge must first complete several tasks. If the tasks are completed, she will give her help.
If the tasks are not fulfilled, and the seeker has not found a way to escape, she will cook and eat
them.
The Slavic Baba witch, from Vasilisa the Beautiful 5

Similarities to the Famous German Fairytale

One tale closely resembles the story of Hansel and Gretel. Two children enter Baba Yagas hut
and she gives them impossible tasks to complete. They are able to escape being put in the oven
and eaten with the help of some talking forest creatures, a tree, and a gate. Another story tells of a
young girl, Vasilisa the Beautiful, who seeks Baba Yagas help to find some firelight. After
completing several tough chores, Baba gives her a fire in a skull lantern and lets Vasilisa return
home.

Photograph of Baba Yaga artwork.

Baba Yaga is a mysterious and rather confusing character. She possesses many contradictory
qualities, and although she is quite ruthless and vile, she is also beneficent and kind. Baba is
omniscient she knows all things and will reveal anything if the person is worthy. The
kindhearted, noble, virtuous and herioc people that come in contact with her receive gifts from
her. She also controls all the elements of nature like Mother Earth, and she can be quite motherly
at times.

The Baba Yaga story and poems are in many childrens books today, and there are many
variations of the famous witch. The moral of the Baba witch story seems to be that anyone who
possesses a loving and honorable heart can overcome even the worst evil. Surely, any story that
can teach that to our children should endure.