Female demonological characters in the Arkhangelsk dialects. Mythological bath mistress

Abstract

The article is part of a larger study dedicated to the examination of mythological characters of the Russian North from a gender perspective, which involves a systematic analysis of the functions, appearances, and characteristics of these characters. In this work, research has been conducted on the nomination of the female mythological character of the bathhouse. This nomination can depend on the locus (derivatives from the lexeme “banya” and others are used), on actions, functions (derivatives arise from the verbs “zadirat’,” “obdirat’,” “buchit’”), and on external appearance. Additionally, certain lexical items are used to perform a complementary function (e.g., “matushka,” “babushka”), proper names, including those associated with folk beliefs about a woman who assisted in the birth of Christ. The female mythological character of the bathhouse appears in anthropomorphic or zoomorphic forms, sometimes lacking a clear description. This character can be paired with a male character or stand alone. It can either help or harm a person if they violate established prohibitions. It is believed that the “family” of mythological bathhouse owners, like the “family” of mythological house spirits, can serve as a mirror reflection of the human family.
The research was conducted based on the materials from the Arkhangelsk dialects (using the “Arkhangelsk Regional Dictionary” and its extensive card index) and may provide an opportunity for researchers aiming to conduct a comparative analysis of mythonyms to utilize materials from the Arkhangelsk dialects alongside other materials collected in the Russian North and other regions.