Abaasy

demon · Russia · Central Asia

Abaasy are the malevolent lower-world spirits of Yakut (Sakha) cosmology: grotesque multi-headed monsters with iron teeth, bodies blending human and animal traits, some one-eyed or one-limbed. Sadistic and destructive, they bring disease, death, and misfortune, steal souls, and devour humans, and can only be defeated temporarily. Their eternal conflict with the Aiyy drives the Olonkho epics.

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