Abaasy

Sources present the abaasy as inhabitants of the lower world or 'kingdom of darkness' in Sakha cosmology. They are alleged to be spirits of the long deceased who dwell near graves or in deserted places and to serve the underworld ruler Arson-Duolai, who is said to swallow people's souls and give diseases. The concept is embedded in Sakha thought and language (the verb абааһы көр- 'to see abaasy' is used idiomatically for 'to hate' or 'to dislike').

Abaasy are described in sources as ugly, horrible, man-eating beings; individually they are portrayed as monstrous (one-eyed, one-armed, one-legged). They are sometimes shown mounted on monstrous steeds described as two-headed, eight-legged, two-tailed dragons. In Olonkho epic poems a named chief (Alyp Khara Aat Mogoidoon) appears as a three-headed, six-armed, six-legged giant with an iron body.

The abaasy are alleged to dwell in the underworld and near graves or deserted places and to travel about causing destruction. They are associated with causing disease, sexual manifestations, and madness, and in epic narratives are man-eaters. They serve Arson-Duolai, who is said to swallow souls and give disease. The sources note that abaasy can be appeased by blood sacrifices.