AZHDAKHA

AZHDAKHA is an evil demon that looked like a multi­headed fire­breathing dragon, according to Bashkir mythology. He is one of the fairytale characters, such as “Akhmet­batyr and Khudaybirde­batyr”, “Yeget defeating mil­ lenial azhdakha” and etc. His origin is connected with the Iranian mythological character called Azhi­Dakhaka. He lives in rivers, lakes, mountain gorges and caves. Bashkirs believed that A. is a 100­year­old snake. 500–1000­year­ old A. became yukha. He had power over the rain clouds, water reservoirs and was able to deprive the people who lived nearby of water. If people wanted to use water, they had to give him girls to eat. As a rule, a hero could save a girl, fight A. and defeat him. The character is common for mythology of many peoples.