Arzuri

The owner of the forest in Chuvash and Turkic mythology.

Perhaps the term "arzuri" goes back to the ancient name of a deity close to the Slavic Shchur. Another name of arzuri is "varman tura" ("forest god") — similar to one of the names of the goblin "Urman iyase" ("master of the forest") among the Kazan and West Siberian Tatars. The southern Chuvash consider Arzuri to be ubede's wife, which is why they also call her "varman amashe" ("mother of the forest"). From the Chuvash languagetranslated as Half - man .

Looks like a tall naked woman with hair to the ground and with a body covered with hair (except for the genitals). She has huge eyes, breasts hanging down (she puts them on her shoulders while walking). Some myths mention three arms, three legs and four eyes (two in front and two behind).

It can change its appearance from human and animal to various objects (branches, a sheaf of hay, etc.) and lights flying between the branches. Scares people with various shouts and laughter. It can attack and maim.

It is considered the restless spirit of a suicide or a person buried not according to the rules.

Arzuri is very afraid of iron, whip, fire, water, dogs and the crackling of cherry trees on the fire. Arzuri likes to ride horses, so you can catch him by smearing the horse's back with resin.

If you meet Arzuri on the way, you have to say: "Uphill!". Then arzuri will fall behind and will not be able to catch up. According to other beliefs, when meeting with arzuri, it is necessary to throw a piece of bread in her direction.

In the mythology of other Turkic-speaking peoples, the Arzuri correspond to the shural of the Kazan Tatars and Bashkirs, and the pitsen of the West Siberian Tatars.

Archaeological sites indicate that the image of Arzuri was widely spread among the Volga Suvaro-Bulgarians.