Abasy
The Abaasy (Abaahy or Abasy,[1] Template:Langx, Abaası [abaːsɯ]; Dolgan: Абааһы, Abaahı; Template:Langx, Abaasi; Template:Langx, Abasy; cognate of the Turkic word Abası; also Chebeldei) are demons in the mythology of the Sakha (also known as the Yakuts).[2] Yakut shamanism divides the universe into upper and lower layers, with the earth being "a kind of indeterminate space or matter" in between.[1] The abaasy occupy the lower level, referred to as the underworld or "kingdom of darkness."[1]
The abaasy are alleged to be the spirits of the long deceased, who dwell near graves or in deserted places, or who otherwise travel about causing destruction.[3] They serve Arson-Duolai, the ruler of the dead, who also swallows people's souls and gives the living diseases. The abaasy can be appeased by blood sacrifices.[3]
The abaasy have been depicted as causing sexual manifestations and madness.[4][5]
Description
The abbasy are described as "one-eyed, one-armed, one-legged" monsters mounted on "two-headed, eight-legged, two-tailed dragons as steeds."[6] In olonkho they are ugly and horrible man-eating beings. Their chief Alyp Khara Aat Mogoidoon is a three-headed, six-armed and six-legged giant with a body made of iron.
Cultural significance
The concept of the abaasy is so ingrained into Sakha thought that the verb абааһы көр- (to see abaasy) is the everyday term for "to hate" or "to dislike".
References
External links
- Sibirya Türklerinde Mitoloji, Naciye Yıldız Template:In lang
- Abaası. Якутская мифология (фольклор якутов) Template:In lang
- Siberian-Mythology Template:Webarchive
- Агарес и Абасы Template:In lang