Deep in the dark Northern forests, far from the nearest village, in a hut on chicken legs dwells BABA YAGA.

And in remote mountain forests lurks the yamauba — mountain grandmother. Also known as onibaba — literally (Buddhist) demon grandmother.

The first is Slavic and the other Japanese, but they have a surprising number of attributes in common.

They both live in exile, either because of their ant-social actions, or circumstances like a famine or economic hardships rendered them expendable.

They're usually elderly females — the BABA / uba part of their names means old woman or grandmother. Though sometime they appear as a young maiden or three sisters, especially when there's a young man involved.

They're powerful and dangerous females; practicing dark magics. They represent the ambivalent feelings villagers have towards raw nature.

They fequently waylay travellers by offering shelter for the night and attacking once the tired traveller is asleep.

They're usually depicted as part-time cannibals, being somewhat omnivorous in their diet.

They're used to discipline disobedient children, "Be good or BABA YAGA / yamauba will come to get you!" Their stories reinforce the social mores of the local communities.

Like most spirits and kami, they're both a mixture of "good" and "evil".

Mostly they harm people, but sometimes they will help. Especially if a person follows the social mores of the community. However, if that person doesn't, they become fair game.

So let the cruel, greedy, and lazy beware…