A Brief upon Slavic Myths & Traditions

Introduction

There exists little exact information on Slavonic Paganism. The largest part of what we know was found in folklore.

In the sixth century AD, the Slavs split up into three main groups, whose beliefs often differ, namely the Southern-, Western- and Eastern Slavs. These are the groups that still exist today.

The territory chosen by the Slavs were almost always forests divided by marshes, rivers and lakes. They made a primitive farming. They hunted, fished, grew corn and kept some cattle in the clearings of the forest. They used wood out of the forest to build and furnish their shelters.

The ancient Slavs felt powerless against the forces of nature and wanted answers. And so a very rustic mythology developed, but very suitable for their primitive lifestyles. Only in areas like Kiev where the Slavs met people from the outside world, did a more fixed mythology develop. But it still remained an unorganized and rustic mythology.

Primitive dualism

As in most religions there are two great forces. One which is good and who lives above. The other is the evil one that lives below, controlling all which is dark and evil. In paganism they are named Byelobog and Chernobog. The noun 'bog' in both names means 'god'. The adjectives 'cherny'(black) and 'byely'(white) describes their character. These are the two gods created at the basis of paganism by the ancient Slavs, forming a dualism. The character of Byelobog is described in some legends as an old man with a long beard, dressed in white. He only appeared during the day, doing good deeds like helping people whom got lost and helping peasants with their work. This dualism left a lot unexplained and more divinities were to be created.

Spirits

With the attack on paganism by Christianity before it peaked, the big divinities disappeared. A lot of pagan beliefs of the Slavs remained, although they converted. 'Dii minores', as the little gods were called, were created.

These divinities' origin were explained as them being the spirits damned from heaven because they rebelled against the superior god who created all. These spirits fell on a variety of places. Those who fell in fields and forests remained evil. Those who were in contact with humans often became kind spirits.

Some of the more popular domestic spirits were :

* Domovoi

* Dvorovoi

* Bannik

* Ovinnik

* Kikimora

Other spirits that were further removed from human contact were:

* Leshy

* Polevik

* Vodyanoi

* Rusalka

For more info. click on Myths & Legends