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Who is that behind the stove?

The Domovik is a protective spirit or mythical being that can be found in Slavic and Russian folklore (known as Domovoi in Russia), it takes the form of a small old man with a distinctive grey beard who lives behind or under the stove, every Russian home is said to have a resident domovik spirit.

They should always be referred to as ‘the Grandfather’ or just ‘He’ but never by a personal name, the domovik spirit is said to be that of the ancestor who originally founded the family, he moves with them from house to house wherever they live, when the family moves home, embers from the fire in the old stove are carried to the new one where it is lit to welcome the domovik into his new place of residence. It is believed that he will watch over the family, guard the house and protect them against evil spirits or misfortune and will even help out with odd jobs or chores at night when the family are asleep, much like the Brownie house spirits of Scottish folklore, like Brownies, the domovik is also said to be pleased by gifts of food left for him, especially dairy items.

All will be well within the household unless the family do something to offend or displease the domovik, should this happen he can turn quite mischievous and resort to poltergeist activity, doing things like moving objects, hiding things and upsetting furniture. If the act that the domovik takes offence to is very bad he will eventually burn the house down thus severing his ties with the family, however if the family identify the problem and resolve it, things can return to normal. The domovik is happy when the house is in good order and tidy, but hates lazy people and jobs being left half done, he will pester and torment the lazy person until they change their ways.

The domovik are said to be able to shape-shift, taking the form of small animals such as cats, rats or snakes, they are also known to take care of horses for households that have stables, protecting them as he does the home. The domovik will also be on good terms with the domovik of neighbouring houses unless they are caught stealing from his home in which case revenge will be carried out!

According to Rosemary Ellen Guiley,  " There are other types of domoviks, each of which has its own small domain: the chlevnik, who lives in the barn, the bannik, who lives in the bathroom; and the ovinnik, who lives in the kitchen." *

Other names by which the domovik are known are: Domovoi, Domovoi, Domovoy, Domovoy, Dedek, Diko, Korka-guzo, Korka-guzo, Korka-murt, Korka-murt, Majahaldas, Majahaldas, Majas Gars, Majas Gars, Majasgars, Majasgars, Susetka, Susetka, Tsmok, Tsmok, Korka-kuzo, Korka-kuzo, Korkamurt, Korkamurt, Lithuanian Kaukas, Lithuanian Kaukas, Polish Iskrychi, Polish Iskrychi, Bannik, Bannik, Chlevnik, Chlevnik, Chlvnik, chlvnik, Dvinnik or Dvinnik. **

The belief in domovik spirits is one that has survived to modern times and much respect is still given to them in many modern homes today, allowances are made for the domovik’s activity and great care is taken to keep them happy.

* The Encyclopedia of Ghost and Spirits, Rosemary Ellen Guiley, pg. 106

** http://www.mythologydictionary.com/domovik-mythology.html

SOURCE: http://www.pitlanemagazine.com/cultures/protective-spirits-the-domovik-domovoi.html