Babay (Slavic folklore)

Babay or Babai (Russian: Бабай) is a night spirit (Bogeyman) in Slavic folklore. According to beliefs, he abducts children who do not sleep at night or behave badly.^[1] He is also called Babayka (Russian: Бабайка), Babayko (Ukrainian: Бабайко) or Bobo (Babok, Bebok) (Polish), although the term may also be applied to his female equivalent.^[2]

A modern depiction of a Silesian bebok in Katowice, Poland

Role and characteristics

Babay is rarely described, so that children can imagine him in the form most terrible for them, but sometimes Babay is described as a pitch-black and crooked old man. He has some physical defects, such as muteness, armlessness, and/or lameness. He has a bag and a cane.^[3] It is believed that he lives in the forest, in a swamp or in a garden.^[2] At night, he wanders through the streets and puts into his bag those who meet him on the way. Walking near houses, Babay stands close to the windows and watches the children. If they are awake or not sleeping, he starts to make scary noises, such as rustling, gritting and knocking on the window. Also, Babay can sometimes hide under the child's bed, and he may take them if they're sleeping or get up.^[2]

A depiction

Babay is often mentioned in lullabies, usually with instructions not to come for the child:

Ай, бай, бай, бай Не ходи, старик Бабай, Коням сена не давай. Кони сена не едят, Всё на Мишеньку глядят. Миша спит по ночам И растёт по часам. Ай, бай, бай, бай, Не ходи ты к нам, Бабай.

Ah, Rock-a-bye, Rock-a-bye, Rock-a-bye Don't come, you old one, Babay. Don't give horses any hay. Horses don't eat hay, They keep their eyes on Mishenka. Misha sleeps at night. And grows up by leaps and bounds. Ah, Rock-a-bye, Rock-a-bye, Rock-a-bye You won't come to us, Babay.

Etymology

The term babay, alongside its synonym, baba, is most likely of Turkic origin. It is translated as "grandfather", "old man" from the Tatar language.^[1]

In popular culture

• Babay / Бабай (Babai) is a 2014 children's animated film created by Ukraine's Ukranimafilm.^[4][5]
• Ukraine's Ukranimafilm animated series was released in 2015.^[6][7]
• Zhikharka / Жихарка is a 2006 Russian animated short film.
• Babayka is a song by russian deathcore band Slaughter to Prevail on their 2025 album GRIZZLY.

See also

• Domovoy