User:SilverTiger12/Korgorusha
Korgorushi (Russian: Коргоруши, ; sg. korgorusha, Russian: Коргоруш?, ) are creatures in Eastern Slavic folklore/mythology. They resemble black cats.
Translations [WIP part]
[edit]Translated from Russian article
[edit]Korgorushi or Kolovershi - in East Slavic mythology, creatures of small size, serving as parcels for witches (cf. familiars)[1], householders[2] or yardmen[3]. They are almost never seen as independent characters, unlike South Slavic evil-doers. People see them mainly in the image of cats, mostly of black color. Korgorushi helpers of the yardman bring their master supplies or money, stealing them from under the nose of the neighbor's yardman. The neighbor's korgorushi, in turn, may act in a similar way, setting up supposedly “accidental” breaking of dishes or losses that can neither be foreseen nor averted[3].
Translated from Polish article
[edit]Korgorusze (Коргоруши) or kolowiersze (коловерши) - in the beliefs of Eastern Slavs, souls that were helpers of the householder.[4]
To the host of the house where they lived, they could bring wealth or equipment stolen from other houses. They were believed to appear in the form of cats.[4]
Names and etymology
[edit]Pronunciation: (as puzzled out using Help:IPA/Russian)
- К: [k]
- о: [o] or [ɐ] or [ɒ] or [ʌ]
- р: [r] or [rʲ]
- г: [ɡ] or [ɡʲ] or [ɣ]
- о: [o] or [ɐ] or [ɒ] or [ʌ]
- р: [r] or [rʲ]
- у: [u] or [ʉ] or [ʊ]
- ш: [ʂ]
- и: [ɨ] /
- Syllable split: kor-gor-u-shi, kor-gor-ush-i, kor-go-ru-shi
History
[edit]When was it first recorded, and where, and by who? When, where, and among who is it thought to have originated? How far has it spread, and when?
Traditions
[edit]The korgorusha is a protective cat spirit that helps the domovoi. And steals items from other houses to give to the masterhold of the house.[1]
Regional variants
[edit]A [similar creature, same creature, or just variation in the story? Is the name different?] in Votiak folklore brings the house's master grain stolen from the neighbors' barns. It was also said that if the [korgorusha?] was killed, its master would also die.[1]
The [Finnish creature, version, or same?] in Finnish folklore is said to bring its master grain, milk, and money. The [???] also existed in Sámi stories.[1]
Analysis
[edit]Antoaneta Olteanu linked the korgorusha to the widespread European motif wherein a grateful animal or animal-spirit unexpectedly enriches the hero, such as in the fairy tale Puss in Boots.[1]
Modern depictions
[edit]A korgorusha was featured in the 2024 novella Sanctuary by Ilona and Gordon Andrews. In the book, korgorushi were described as looking like long-haired black cats, with smoke trailing from their fur and glowing eyes. They were independent, like domestic cats, and had iron-hard claws and the ability to teleport; a volhv (Slavic pagan priest) in the book said when they loved their host, they protected the property of and stole presents for the host, but when they were mad they destroyed pillows and dishes.[2]
External links
[edit]References
[edit]Sources
[edit]- Власова, Марина (2008). Энциклопедия русских суеверий [Encyclopedia of Russian Superstitions] (in Russian). Азбука-классика. p. ???. ISBN 9785911817053.
- Мудрова, И. А. (2009). Словарь славянской мифологии [Dictionary of Slavic Mythology] (in Russian). Центрполиграф. p. ???. ISBN 9785952445413.
- Крючкова, Елена; Крючкова, Ольга (2019). Славянские боги, духи, герои, богатыри [Slavic gods, spirits, heroes, bogatyrs] (in Russian). p. ???. ISBN 9785040926008.
- Kempiński, Andrzej (2001). Encyklopedia mitologii ludów indoeuropejskich [Encyclopedia of the Mythology of Indo-European Peoples] (in Polish). Warsaw: Iskry. p. 234. ISBN 8320716292.
More sources to use:
- Meletinski, E. M. (1990). "M fologitcheskij slovar'". Moscow: 291.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - Semionov, O. P. "Smert' i dusha v poverjach i rasskazach krestjan i meshtchan hjazanskogo, Ranenburgskogo i Dankovskogo uezdov Kjazanskcj gubernii, "Zhivaja starina", 2/1898" [Death and soul in the superstitions and rasskazach of the Christians and Meskhetians of the Khiazan, Ranenburg and Dankov regions of the Kyazan province]. Zhivaja starina (??) (in Slovenian).
Citations
[edit]- ^ a b c d Olteanu, Antoaneta (2002). "Personnages Démoniaques Dans les Contes Populaires Roumains et Russes" [Demonic Characters in Romanian and Russian Folktales]. Romanoslavica (in French): 151–152. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
- ^ Andrews, Ilona (30 July 2024). "Chapter 3". Sanctuary. NYLA Publishing. p. 31. ASIN B0D1GQPN83. ISBN 9781641972864. Retrieved 2 February 2025.