Babay

Babai in Ukrainian demonology is an ominous and frightening creature that was often used to intimidate children and force them to be obedient. His image is mostly invisible and mysterious, and he himself rarely has a concrete appearance, since in the popular imagination Babai was more the embodiment of fear than a real being with clear features. Babay lives in the dark, most often under the bed or in the corners of the house, and goes hunting at night when children disobey their parents.

In some folk tales, it is said that Babai takes naughty children in his bag and carries them to his wife, Zaliznaya Baba. She is considered an even more cruel creature who punishes children for their disobedience. Her name indicates her steadfastness and severity, because "iron" emphasizes her uncompromising nature.

In addition, Babai has saliva, which, according to legends, can immobilize a victim. He can spit on a child or adult, and it instantly paralyzes them, rendering them helpless against his further actions. This feature makes him even more terrifying, as he not only scares, but can also completely control those he pursues.

Grandfather, with his bag and horrible wife, was used as an image to raise children, forcing them to obey and not break the rules. Parents often said: "If you don`t sleep, Babai will come and take you away", and this acted as an effective means of intimidation.