Our little Hirst Wood Nature Reserve has become the home of Baba Yaga's Hut. Baba Yaga and her enchanted hut on chicken legs are an established part of Slavic folklore. She is a mysterious witch, an old crone who roams the woods in her hut on chicken legs, looking for 'bad children'. She's rather fearsome and unpredictable but also a teacher, protector and wise guardian of the forest, offering refuge and answers to those who show wit and respect. There's a helpful analysis of the tale's origins and meanings HERE.
Our Baba Yaga hut has been crafted by the workers in Baildon, Shipley and Saltaire Men's Shed, supported by Bradford 2025's Our Patch programme. It's then been decorated by the Women's Sphere group, which works to support and empower women in our local communities who originate from Eastern and Central Europe. The wonderful elves were crafted by Homey Elves.
I just happened to be passing as they were setting up for the 'grand opening', so I took the opportunity to have a chat and take a few photos. It's so lovely when people come together to create a little magic.
Very cute elves! Not sure that I could relate to a faceless Baba Yaga. But most images I've seen have her be a bit "witchy" looking, and definitely elderly. Something about a mortar and pestle for flying around I remember. I'm glad there's a gentler side to the tale apparently.
ReplyDeleteThe kids must love this.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love it! I'e always wanted a Baba Yaga hut! (That, and a Romany caravan.)
ReplyDeleteA great project, no doubt it will be much appreciated by children and grown-ups alike. I've been familiar with Baba Yaga and her chicken-legged hut since I watched a theatre play about her on TV when I was still at elementary school. We had (and still have) many people with slavic roots living in Germany and so I guess it wasn't surprising that she was/is known here, too.
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