Baba Yaga: The Ambiguous Mother and Witch of the Russian Folktale

Baba Yaga is a well-known witch from the folklore tradition of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. A fascinating and colorful character, she resembles witches of other traditions but is in many ways unique. Living in the forest in a hut that stands and moves on chicken legs, she travels in a mortar with a pestle and sweeps away her tracks with a broom. In some tales she tries to harm the protagonist, while in others she is helpful. This book investigates the image and ambiguity of Baba Yaga in detail and considers the meanings she has for East Slavic culture. Providing a broad survey of folktales and other sources, it is the most thorough study of Baba Yaga yet published and will be of interest to students of anthropology, comparative literature, folklore, and Slavic and East European studies.

Author: Carolyn Dundes, Andreas Johns
Publisher: Peter Lang Inc., International Academic Publi
Published: 04/27/2004
Pages: 360
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.00lbs
Size: 8.90h x 6.00w x 1.00d
ISBN13: 9780820467696
ISBN10: 0820467693
BISAC Categories:
- Social Science | Folklore & Mythology
- Psychology | General
- Social Science | Anthropology | Cultural & Social

About the Author
The Author: Andreas Johns received his Ph.D. in Slavic languages and literatures from the University of California, Berkeley. He has taught at both the University of California Berkeley and Santa Cruz campuses as well as at the University of Washington, Seattle.

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