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Hapun
Hapun in Ukrainian demonology is a demonic creature that kidnaps people, often at night. Its name comes from the word "grab", which reflects its main activity - the sudden capture of its prey. In popular imagination, he is described as an invisible spirit that silently attacks people, especially those who leave the house at night without protection.
However, there is also a description where Hapun acts as a forest spirit. He lives in the depths of the forest near the swamp, in a small house, and the kidnapped people are forced to stay there. Hapun was imagined as a giant of incredible height with a long beard reaching his knees and large eyes without pupils. He is dressed in a winter down coat and carries a huge bag in which he puts the kidnapped children. His stature and power made him almost invincible—no one could hide from him, and those he captured could not leave his domain.
It is believed that Hapun is especially dangerous for the children it abducts at night. He carries a large bag with him, and, according to beliefs, no one could hear the cry of a child from this bag. It is activated at night, when people are most defenseless, so it has long been advised not to leave the house after sunset.
To protect themselves from Hapun, people used prayers and consecrated amulets, in particular crosses, and tried to avoid leaving the house at night without an urgent need.
However, there is also a description where Hapun acts as a forest spirit. He lives in the depths of the forest near the swamp, in a small house, and the kidnapped people are forced to stay there. Hapun was imagined as a giant of incredible height with a long beard reaching his knees and large eyes without pupils. He is dressed in a winter down coat and carries a huge bag in which he puts the kidnapped children. His stature and power made him almost invincible—no one could hide from him, and those he captured could not leave his domain.
It is believed that Hapun is especially dangerous for the children it abducts at night. He carries a large bag with him, and, according to beliefs, no one could hear the cry of a child from this bag. It is activated at night, when people are most defenseless, so it has long been advised not to leave the house after sunset.
To protect themselves from Hapun, people used prayers and consecrated amulets, in particular crosses, and tried to avoid leaving the house at night without an urgent need.