The first thing I remember hearing about Baba Yaga was that she lived in a house on chicken legs. That sounded to me like it had to be a gag. And it is pretty crazy. Still, having a house on legs that can move of their own volition―your own will presumably being in charge―has to be some kind of magical attribute.
Makes sense that in actual mythology Baba Yaga can be a monster, a nuisance, or a benefactor. When a myth has been in circulation for a while, different aspects will come to the fore.
Also interesting that while we're used to thinking of her as a singular person, there is a version of the tale where there are three Baba Yagas. Influence from Classical myth would be my educated guess.
1 comment:
The story about “Vasilisa the Beautiful” is one of my favorites. It was Ivan Bilibin whose illustration shows the chicken leg hut to good advantage as you'll see if you look it up. It's similar to Hansel and Gretel who also had a wicked stepmother who sent them away - but to a witch who wasn't the least bit helpful. Baba Yaga in the Russian tale is a life saver.
Her capricious nature has been described as: “The essence of Baba Yaga exists in many cultures and many stories, and symbolizes the unpredictable and untamable nature of the female spirit, of Mother Earth, and the relationship of women to the wild."
As for a building that walks on chicken legs I couldn't help but be reminded of my favorite Miyazaki movie Howl's Moving Castle. It's definitely his most intriguing story. The others, albeit wonderful, are very linear as well as visually stunning and highly creative. Maybe you've seen it too.
https://youtu.be/ARCQf2CEr8k?si=DxVKczZM2Jxtn_s9
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