Forest Spirits and Their Functions in the Traditions of Estonians, Estonian Russians and Belarusians

This article gives a comparative analysis of data on forest spirits, including their names (terminology), functions, interactions with humans and how they protect people and animals. It examines the similarities and differences in the mythological narratives and practices of Finno-Ugric peoples (Estonians) and Slavic groups (the Russian minority in Estonia and Belarusians in Belarus). The available data reveals a wide variety of terminology and appearances: anthropomorphic, zoomorphic, phytomorphic and fantastical beings. One of the main functions of forest spirits was to lead people astray. The explanations given by narrators remain cognitively interesting to this day: while the causes are attributed to mythical beings, they are mostly related to general oral norms and values.