The Albast: A Monster from Bashkir Demonology
Among the dark and frightening images of Bashkir and Tatar mythology is the albast — an especially terrifying and most commonly encountered spirit.
The albast loves to hug — until the person«s last breath. At night, it comes to sleepers, presses down with all its weight, and squeezes so that breathing stops. The person in horror tries to scream but cannot. Tries to open eyes — also cannot, or helplessly looks around, unable to throw off the burden. The body literally turns to stone because the brain is awake but cannot control the body. After such displays of »tenderness,« not everyone woke up, as the beliefs of ancestors say.
Today, this state is called sleep paralysis and explained by brain malfunctions. But among the people, they said it simpler and scarier: «Byl albast kilgän! (Bash.)» — the albast has come.
By the way, it«s more correct not »he« but »she.« After all, more often they say that the albast is a woman. Moreover, she is also terrifying — she has long, loose dark or light hair that covers her face, tangles, and hides her gaze. Her breasts are unnaturally long — so long that she throws them over her back. Incidentally, with them she suffocates sleeping people. And if that»s not enough — the albast often has no skin and bones on her back, so her insides are open to view, as if she is turned inside out.
In Bashkir mythology, the albast is still a witch who was buried, but her spirit did not rest. At night, according to beliefs, she emerges from her grave and goes to people. Grandmothers in villages often told grandchildren that because of this, doors should not be left open. On the other hand, depending on the region, the myth changes. Thus, some believe that the albast is the wandering soul of a person who died a painful death or was buried without necessary rites.
She feels particular hatred for pregnant women and infants. The former she suffocates, frightens, sends nightmares and illnesses. Children she substitutes, feeds with her milk — after such, infants waste away and also die.
Among the people, they said that the albast can change appearance, turning not only into animals but also into inanimate objects. Kazan Tatars believed — she comes out to people in the form of a cart, silently rolling along the road, or turns into a haystack, suddenly standing in the way, and sometimes — a dark spruce, grown where it has no place.
The Image of the Albast Among Other Turkic Peoples
Among our related peoples, her image was even scarier. Azerbaijanis tell from generation to generation that the albast has a bird«s foot. In Kazakh myths, she has completely turned feet or even hooves, with which she leaves false tracks to lead people astray.
Also among them, the albast is not necessarily female. There is in folk fears a demon of male gender. A low, hunchbacked old man with gray skin. His body is covered with sparse, long hair, his face wrinkled and literally ancient.
He comes before dawn, when sleep is no longer deep, but sunrise has not yet occurred. First, he makes himself known with noise, as if something heavy falls from an empty neighboring bed. A dull thud on the floor — the person wakes up, is conscious, and now sees what is happening.
And then the ritual begins — the demon-albast comes out to the center of the room and dances. Slowly and eerily, he walks in a circle, limping and stomping with one foot. Wherever he steps, his body and gaze are always turned to the victim. He does not take his eyes off for a moment — even when he is behind the back.
With the first steps of the dance, the victim«s body turns to stone. First, arms and legs fail, then — voice. He puts his hand on the victim»s throat and strangles. Although the body does not react, as if asleep, consciousness is clear. Among the people, they believed that this happens not in a dream, but in reality.
One can be saved only by one thing — morning sounds. The first cry of a bird, rustling from the next room.
Therefore, if you suddenly wake up in the middle of the night and cannot move — do not panic, it«s just the albast. Well, or hunger, but just in case, keep a rooster nearby. Better a noisy neighbor than a silent demon — it»s more pleasant after all.
We have already shared with you knowledge about another character from Bashkir legends — Bisura or Bichura, as you prefer. She is the same kind of demon, perhaps even scarier.
