Myths of the Volga. From the Wolf Lord and the World Tree to the Cult of Snakes and the Bird of Happiness

Why did the great god Kugu Yumo turn man inside out? Who appears to people in the guise of a destructive whirlwind? Which bird symbolizes the female principle? And what to do during the rampage of evil forces?
The myths of the peoples of the Volga became the subject of research in the 19th century. At that time, the mythological representations of the Mari, Udmurt, Chuvash, Mordva, Tatars, Bashkirs, and Kalmyks seemed to scatter across folklore and tales, sacred rituals, and beliefs. "Myths of the Volga" offer to piece together a beautiful and poetic picture of heroes and tricksters, warriors and sorcerers, animal symbols, spirit hosts, household spirits, and giants.