Home / Series / Monstrum / Aired Order / Season 2021 / Episode 1

Baba Yaga: The Ancient Origins of the Famous ‘Witch’

One of the most beloved (and feared) figures in Russian and East Slavic folklore, Baba Yaga is more than just a witch. She’s a rumored cannibal who lives in a strange rotating house and flies around in a magical mortar and pestle--but she’s also a helpful grandmotherly figure. Who is Baba Yaga really? Pagan goddess? Evil witch? Scary old lady? Find out in this episode, which takes a look at traditional gender roles in Slavic history, pagan deities, burial practices of Neolithic Central Europe, and why this monstrous woman continues to endure.

English
  • Originally Aired January 14, 2021
  • Runtime 14 minutes
  • Production Code aS4VCxMeWQM
  • Network PBS Digital Studios
  • Created July 27, 2021 by
    shriek
  • Modified February 11, 2022 by
    Caféine mod