Chut (Belarusian mythology)

Chut, or Khut, (Belarusian: Хут) is one of the household spirits in Belarusian mythology. He brings money, grain and success to the hosts of the house, but, not being fed, Chut could perform a cruel revenge on them.

Description

In Belarusian language Chut has masculine grammatical gender – that's why in most cases Chut is described as a male. Chut is a polymorphous spirit: he could look like a little boy or dwarf; he is also able to take the form of inanimate objects — a gnarled piece of wood, old wheel, dry stump and so on. Chut appears in the houses, where perverted daughter of host killed her illegitimate child or tried to raise him or she without baptism. Belarusians believe, that the soul of this child transforms into Chut. Chut saves the childish features of character forever: he is foolish, playful, joking and emotionally labile. This spirit likes to make fun of the guests: to hide somebody's hat, to spill the beans and peas (and then gather them again at night).

If Chut lives in the house, the host must feed him with ritual (and, at the same time, children's) food: fried eggs with abaranki (Belarusian: абаранкі). Belarusians usually eat such kind of food on weddings, baptism, Kupala Night, Trinity Holiday and young women rituals. The host uses special words to invite Chut to take the meal: "Chut, Chut, come here! I'll give You fried eggs and abaranki!" (Belarusian: Хут, Хут, ідзі сюды, дам яечаньку, абараначку!).

See also

• Domovoy
• Brownie