View source for Mavka

{{Short description|Female spirit in Ukrainian mythology}}
{{italic title}}
{{for-multi|the band|Mavka (band)|the film|Mavka: The Forest Song}}
{{Infobox mythical creature
|name             = Mavka
|AKA              = {{langx|uk|Нявка}}
|image            = Stamp of Ukraine s1817.jpg
|image_size       = 250
|image_upright    = <!-- Image size scale factor; do not use with image_size -->
|caption          = Stamp featuring Lukash and Mavka from [[The Forest Song]]
|Folklore         = [[Slavic paganism]]
|Grouping         = Female legendary creatures
|Sub_Grouping     = <!-- A broader generic category, if applicable -->
|Family           = <!-- Attested family members, if applicable -->
|Country          = {{UKR}}
|Region           = [[Ukrainian Carpathians]]
|Details          = <!-- Any additional details -->
|First_Attested   = <!-- First attestation (in other words, source) -->
|Similar_entities = <!-- Entities described as similar -->
}}
'''Mavka''' ({{langx|uk|Мавка}} {{IPA|uk|ˈmɑu̯kɐ|}}) or '''Nyavka'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ukrlib.com.ua/review/printit.php?tid=18146|title=Михайло Коцюбинський — Тіні забутих предків (аналіз, паспорт твору)|website=www.ukrlib.com.ua|trans-title=Mykhailo Kotsyubynskyi — Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors (analysis, passport of the work)|language=uk}}</ref> ({{langx|uk|Нявка|links=no}} {{IPA|uk|ˈnʲɑu̯kɐ|}}) is a type of female spirit in [[Ukrainian folklore]] and [[Slavic mythology|mythology]]. The Mavka is a long-haired "Soul of the Forest", typically depicted as a temptress figure who lures men to their deaths.{{sfnp|Bilodid|1973|p=587|loc=volume 4}}{{sfnp|Kushnir|2014}}{{efn|{{harvp|Kushnir|2014}}, quote: "Mavka is different from other types of female spirits in that her evil is not intentional. At the sight of a young man, she falls into a trance and realizes her actions too late to change anything. Mavka is a very beautiful young maiden with very long hair ..."}}

== Terminology ==
There is variation in the names and spelling, including {{langx|uk|Мавка}}, {{Transliteration|uk|mavka}},{{sfnp|Hrinchenko|1958|loc=volume 2, article 395}} {{lang|uk|навка}}, {{Transliteration|uk|navka}},{{sfnp|Hrinchenko|1958|loc=volume 2, article 471}} {{lang|uk|нявка}}, {{Transliteration|uk|nyavka}}.{{sfnp|Hrinchenko|1958|loc=volume 2, article 573}} However, depending on telling, there are differences between the Mavka and [[Nav (Slavic folklore)|Nyavka]]. These terms all derive from {{proto|sla|[[Nav (Slavic folklore)|navь]]|the dead}}, and are [[cognate]] with {{langx|bg|нави}}, {{Transliteration|bg|navi}} (plural).

== Folklore ==
The spirits known by this term represented the souls of girls who had died unnatural, tragic or premature deaths, particularly unchristened babies.{{sfnp|Hrinchenko|1958|loc=volume 2, article 395}} {{Transliteration|uk|Mavka}}s often appear in the form of beautiful young girls who entice and lure young men into the woods, where they "tickle" them to death.{{sfnp|Halaichuk|2016|pp=181–183}} {{Transliteration|uk|Mavka}}s have no reflection in water, nor do they cast shadows. In some accounts, they were also said to help farmers by looking after cattle and driving out wild animals. 
[[File:Mavka.jpg|alt=Illustration of a Nyavka|thumb|Illustration of a Nyavka]]
A subtype of the Mavkas are the [[Nav (Slavic folklore)|Nyavkas]], which behave the same except for having "no back", meaning that their spine and some other insides can be seen;{{efn|Those were more often called "Nyavka" and they were believed to live in [[Western Ukraine]], which has more dangerous mountain rivers than [[Central Ukraine]], while Mavkas, who were believed to live in Central Ukraine, had their backs.}} the most defining feature between determining Mavkas and [[Nav (Slavic folklore)|Nyavkas]] is whether or not the insides are visible from the back.
[[File:Мавки - лендарт, Луцьк 2021.jpg|alt=Eco-sculptures "Awakening of forest Mavkas"|thumb|Eco-sculptures "Awakening of forest mavkas". Made by the creative group of Volyn Professional College of Culture and Arts named after I. F. Stravinsky]]
Mavkas and [[Nav (Slavic folklore)|Nyavkas]] were believed to live in groups in forests, mountain caves, or sheds, which they decorated with rugs. They made thread of stolen flax and wove thin transparent cloth for making clothes for themselves. They loved flowers, which they wore in their hair. In the spring, they planted flowers in the mountains, to which they enticed young men, whom they tickled to death. On [[Pentecost]] (known as {{Transliteration|uk|Navka}}'s Easter, {{langx|uk|На́вський Вели́кдень}}),{{sfnp|Hrinchenko|1958|loc=volume 2, article 474}} they held games, dances, and orgies. A [[demon]] accompanied them on a [[flute]] or [[Pipe (instrument)|pipes]].

To save an [[Chrismation|unchristened]] baby's soul, one must throw up a kerchief during [[Pentecost]] holidays, say their name and add "I baptise you". The rescued soul would then go to [[heaven]]. If the soul lived up to seven years and did not go to heaven, the baby would turn into a {{Transliteration|uk|mavka}} and haunt the earth.

== Popular culture ==
[[File:POSTER MAVKA. THE FOREST SONG.png|alt=Movie poster, Mavka: The Forest Song|thumb|Movie poster, [[Mavka: The Forest Song]]]]

* {{Transliteration|uk|Mavka}}s are depicted in literature, most notably in [[Lesia Ukrainka]]'s ''[[The Forest Song]]'' and nyavkas are depicted in [[Mykhailo Kotsiubynsky]]'s ''[[Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Набока |first1=Марічка |last2=Джулай |first2=Дмитро |date=2019-06-04 |title=Чарівні істоти з прадавніх українських міфів. У що вірили пращури |language=uk |work=Радіо Свобода |url=https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/29430833.html |access-date=2023-05-11}}</ref>
* In modern culture the Ukrainian music band, [[Mavka (band)|Mavka]], is named after the mythological creature.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 6, 2024 |title=Mavka |url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/6955896-Mavka |access-date=January 6, 2024 |website=Discogs}}</ref>
* In 2022, Ukrainian singer Eria released the song "Mavka".<ref>{{Citation |title=ERIA - MAVKA (Official Music Video) Eurovision 2022 Ukraine 🇺🇦 | date=12 January 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfkXSHUBCpA |access-date=2023-05-11 |language=en}}</ref>
* The 2023 film ''[[Mavka: The Forest Song]],'' is based on [[Ukrainian mythology]].<ref>{{Citation |last1=Malamuzh |first1=Oleh |title=Mavka: Lisova pisnya |date=2023-08-15 |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6685538/ |type=Animation, Adventure, Comedy |access-date=2024-01-07 |others=Sarah Natochenny, Mike Pollock, Marc Thompson |publisher=Animagrad Animation Studio, FILM.UA Group, Ukrainian State Film Agency |last2=Ruban |first2=Oleksandra |last3=Yermak |first3=Yevheniy}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ide |first=Wendy |date=2023-07-30 |title=Mavka: The Forest Song review – formulaic Ukrainian animation makes a plea for nature |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/jul/30/mavka-the-forest-song-review-ukrainian-animation |access-date=2024-01-07 |work=The Observer |language=en-GB |issn=0029-7712}}</ref>

== See also ==
* ''[[Mavka: The Forest Song]]'' (2023 animated film)
* ''[[The Forest Song]]'' (1917/1918 play by [[Lesya Ukrainka]])
* ''[[Forest Song]]'' (1963 film)
* Mavka (song by Authentix)
* [[Mare (folklore)]]
* [[Naiad]]
* [[Nymph]]
* [[Revenant]]
* [[Succubus]]
* [[Nixie (folklore)]]
* [[Skogsrå]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==

=== Citations ===
{{Reflist|30em}}

=== Works cited ===
{{Refbegin|30em|indent=yes}}
* {{Cite encyclopedia |year=1973 |url=http://sum.in.ua/s/mavka |editor-last=Bilodid |editor-first=Ivan Kostyovych |language=uk |trans-title=Dictionary of the Ukrainian Language: in 11 volumes |script-title=uk:Словник української мови: в 11 томах}}
* {{Cite book |last=Halaichuk |first=V. |url=https://archive.org/details/miff2016 |publisher=Клуб Сімейного Дозвілля |year=2016 |language=uk |script-title=uk:Українська міфологія |trans-title=Ukrainian Mythology}}
* {{Cite encyclopedia |year=1958 |publisher=Академії наук Української РСР |url=http://hrinchenko.com/slovar/znachenie-slova/29878-navskyj.html |last=Hrinchenko |first=B. |language=uk |trans-title=Dictionary of the Ukrainian language / Ref. with addn. own material by B. Hrinchenko: in 4 volumes — K. |script-title=uk:Словарь української мови / Упор. з дод. влас. матеріалу Б. Грінченко: в 4-х т.}}
* {{Cite book |last=Kushnir |first=Dmitriy |title=Creatures of Slavic myth |year=2014 |isbn=978-1-5056-2802-9 |location=USA |publisher=Createspace |oclc=1003859523}}{{self-published inline|date=December 2024}}
{{Refend}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite book |last=Buynova |first=Tatyana Yuryevna |url=http://www.e-reading.mobi/bookreader.php/1020825/Buynova_-_Deti_Svaroga._Mify_vostochnyh_slavyan.html |publisher=Akvilegia |year=2008 |isbn=9785901942611 |ol=33980381M |language=ru |script-title=ru:Дети Сварога: Мифы восточных славян |trans-title=Children of Svarog: Myths of East Slavs}}

== External links ==
* [http://encyclopediaofukraine.com/display.asp?linkpath=pages%5CM%5CA%5CMavkaIT.htm "Mavka"] — Internet Encyclopedia of Ukraine
* [http://godsbay.ru/slavs/kostroma.html "Kostroma"] — Encyclopedia of Mythology {{in lang|ru}}

{{Slavic mythology}}

[[Category:Culture of Ukraine]]
[[Category:Demonology]]
[[Category:Female ghosts]]
[[Category:Forest spirits]]
[[Category:Nudity in mythology]]
[[Category:Pentecost]]
[[Category:Slavic culture]]
[[Category:Slavic legendary creatures]]
[[Category:Slavic paganism]]
[[Category:Spirits]]
[[Category:Supernatural legends]]
[[Category:Ukrainian folklore]]
[[Category:Ukrainian mythology]]
[[Category:Undead]]