Bannik
Bannik is the demonic spirit of the Ukrainian bathhouse (laznya or banya), a cantankerous, vengeful entity who dwells behind the stove-heater or under the washing bench. He appears as a tiny, naked, emaciated old man with long shaggy hair, a large head, and enormous hands, sometimes covered in soot or with a broom as his distinguishing feature. He can also take the form of a cat, dog, frog, or hare. Bannik is considered the most malevolent of the house spirits because the bathhouse was viewed as a spiritually unclean place where people shed not only dirt but also their negative energy and illn