Mordovian Myths. From the Creator Chipaz and the Forest Deity Viryava to the Things of the Bird Kuku and Snake Meteorites

This book introduces the myths of the Mordvins — a Finno-Ugric people comprising two ethnic groups: Moksha and Erzya. It gathers information about the history, language, and culture of the Mordvins; discusses cosmological ideas, the divine pantheon, various cults (of ancestors, animals, trees), demonic images, traditional rituals, and prayers-ozks in their modern interpretation.

What lies behind the dual nature of the image of the snake? What rituals and divinations could change fate? What relation does Shaitan have to the creation of the earth? The author shows how mythological representations are connected to the history, everyday life, and worldview of the people and how these ancient narratives come alive in the most unexpected forms of culture and daily life.

The distinctive feature of the book is the rich material collected in field studies and from the oral narratives of tradition bearers. Thanks to this, it presents a vivid and holistic picture of Mordovian mythology and its place in the context of world culture.