With all due respect, many of the scientific positions you provided about the Slavs are no longer held by most of the respected scholars. Among others, the origin of the word "Slav" most likely comes from the slavic word for, well, "word", as in early medieval ages Slavs referred to themselves as such, contrasted by calling non-Slavs some variant of "people that can't talk" (in Polish "Niemcy" for example, which also means "Germans"). The correlation with the germanic words for "slave" could very likely be a random thing. Albanians are also absolutely not Slavs, they're a totally unrelated people, although they for sure intermingled with the Balkan Slavs through the ages. The supposed Scandinavian origin of the Slavs is also not really a position that I've found in any literature I've read on the topic, no idea what could be the source of such a theory. Still, nice to see some Slavic folklore on your channel, your representation of the Leshy checks out. Keep the good work up, best wishes from Poland!

As a Lithuanian, I regularly think of what wanders in the Baltic forests

me, watching your videos about american forests, feeling safe because i’m in europe:😄 also me, being slavic, seeing you posted this:😦

As an archaeology student from Poland, the most popular and current theory is that Slavic cultures originated in Ukrainie rather than the North due to the striking differences of the material culture (simplifying things a lot).

On the ONE LESHIE vs MULTIPLE LESHIES thing: -It often happens with slavic language, especially with older text sources, that they refer to a CATEGORY of thing(person, phenomena, obejct, entity) through a strange semantic structure which is ambiguous between plural or singular. The definite article THE is used, but it could still mean a group of said thing. -I's a little head scratching, but it works. Texts which say THE LESHIE could equally refer to "the leshies", "the leshi(of this region)", "your local leshies", "leshihood", "leshies". In modern times, the default interpretation of definite article + singular form is, as with most languages, "the one and only". With older writings however, we go by context, and with mythology, there isn't a lot of that. People didn't write down what was common sense to them assuming it woouldn't change over generations, because back then, it really didn't. TL;DR -We really don't have a way of ever knowing wether it's one leshie or multiple, unless we somehow discover the origin of all leshie myths.

The Leshussy….. at long last

A few things, coming from a former Rodnover (Slavic Neopagan) and a fellow history interested person: The word Slav comes from Slaveni or Sloveni, meaning Glorious people and people who speak the same language. It was later adapted to greek during the Christianization to Sklavenoi, who were used as slaves in Byzantium. The German word Sklaven (slaves) comes therefore from Sklavenoi, which inspired slave in English and Slav in Scandinavian languages. As for the more distinct dualism in Slavic paganism, it is partially true. However there wasn’t really a moralist character of good and evil, but a unity of opposites that makes the world work. (Life - Death, Light - Dark) all necessary to define each other. There are two gods sometimes included in the pantheon calles Byelobog (White God) and Chernobog (Black God) however many Slavic historians believe that these came about later as an attempt to Christianize the slavs by introducing cosmic moralism (as opposed to morals in society which did exist, cosmic moralism being a primordial struggle between good and evil).

I'm pretty sure that the Wendigo from legends doesn't have antlers, and that's just the way it gets depicted in modern media, but I don't know that for 100% certain

Gosh am I happy to see a video about the lore from the culture I was raised in. If there's ever a need for translation from Russian I would absolutely help cuz it's no biggie for me and there's so much to learn anyway.

yeah thats morgoth *shows radagon* like dude that guy has a son called morgott

There are definetally multiple Leshies, a Leshy is basically just the spirit of a certain forest or area. I believe there can be more than one Leshy in one forest, but it had to be a big territory. Correct me if I'm wrong but that's Just what my Mom told me when I was little

what happens when the leshi gets you is it tickles you to death, the only way to escape is to wear your shoes inside out and walk backward out of the forest

As a Croatian Slavic the best way to put it is We are the middle of the Asia and the Middle East to Europe We are Asian, European, Middle eastern and more We are the Reminence of the Hun, we start from the edge of the alps to the deserts of Kazakhstan Cossacks of the east, North is Polish horseman, south Grenzers of Croatia, Serbia, and Bosnia, and the west is the Hungarians

As a fellow historian, I'm happy I found your channel because we both meet in that intriguing crossroads of "Historians who are more open about paranormal and supernatural potentiality" where we recognize that historical sources have previously talked about these things and that maybe we should consider the possibility of their (at one time) existence. I love the history section, even if this video isn't the best example.

I love how you nerded out and threw in a reference to “The Silmarillion”. One of my college majors was European History. You provided information I wasn’t familiar with (granted, “European History” is incredibly vague for the many histories of many countries that spans several millennia).

Want to try understand what these creatures did in our mythology? Try reading Forest of Stribor(Šuma Striborova). Stribor being variation of the name Stribog, god of forests

Ancient leshen in monster hunter world was one of the best experience ever

You two are great, your channel is a hidden gem. I feel scammed that KZfaq didn’t recommend you guys to me sooner 😢

As a baltic resident i can confirm we have to chase away those daily with torches

Love u guys and your content,can't get enough, you're outlook on thing,and your theories are so much like my own regarding Missing 411 cases and certain other subjects.Keep up the great work

Thanks Aiden, much appreciated.

Imma be honest i love you pun intros please dont stop

I really enjoy these videos. I love hearing the backstories!

this is my first video i saw from you and its amazing, you just earned a sub

I totally sit around on a Sunday afternoon wondering what lurks in the Baltic Forest. Or any forest, for that matter. Love the topics!

Hey there, I'm a slav and wanted to propose another alternatives to the origin of the world slav (of course I consider the origin being slave valid since a lot of Slavic nations were u der control of a lot of other nations and states and all that jazz) Slav may also originate from "Slovo" which means "word", many texts describe the early Slavs as "Slovens" or "The people of the word" Or "Slavi" which means "glorious folk" since "Sláva" means "glory" or "fame",thanks for coming to my Ted talk.

Always interesting to learn other culture's folklore! Would you guys ever consider discussing the various versions of Mermaids that exist in folklore across the world? Also would they count as flesh pedestrians? Different topic but have you guys ever covered the Missing 411 case of DeOrr Kunz Jr & if not is there a chance of getting your takes on it?

Sheesh at this point im fully equipped with the know how to become a witcher

Bro... The Lorax looking different-

It's fun to see some of the slavic folklore covered on your channel. Our prechristian mythology was extremely rich and interesting and for me as a Pole it is such a shame we don't even get to study that in school, even though the traces of that culture have transpired into the one we have today. Unfortunately it's very difficult to find any sources from actual slavs, mostly because when Poland (and I assume also some other slavic countries) became christian a lot of those traditions and beliefs were forbidden, like the dark ages when you pretty much could get killed for writing about something that wasn't describing how great currently ruling king was or prayers or other forms of religious affirmation. It's a shame that in school w learn about greek and roman mythology but we literally never get to study our own, which is (at least in my opinion) much cooler and more climactic.

Very interesting Sir. The tangents, I found them very interesting. I sort of think of those tangents as, "Collateral Knowledge"! I like that, thank you. 🇨🇦

As a polish/Ukrainian woman. I was brought up to always think of what lurks in the Boltic forest.

Slavic pre-Christian religion is certainly not dualistic, that's an old assumption which is more and more disputed in the academia. Some scholars try to see the connection with Indo-Iranic tribes and early appearance of dualism in proto-Zoroastrian sources, trying to suggest some Scythian and Sarmatian tribes brought their dualism to Slavs, which they neighbored and influenced at some time during Roman era of first few centuries AD. Even if we assume that the main god of Slavs - Perun, the righteous one, sky father, the thunderer is worshipped the most and is usually portrayed to kill water serpents or even to fight with Veles, the chthonic god of underworlds, forests, unknown, magic and riches (a sort of similar to Pan, Cernunos figure and Hades) - still, even with Chaoskampf theory in mind, Veles and Perun were equally important to Slavs - Perun is related to social cohesion, morality, rights, protection and fertility, Veles is related to oaths, arts, music, cattle - the treasure of our ancestors. Both had their place and didn't much invade each others territory/domain, even if fierce battle was fought between them. That being said, in most recent times, this theory that Toporov suggested - Perun vs Veles myth is brought under scrutiny - some think that serpent/dragon which Perun fights is not equivalent to Veles - something of this can be traced from Russian folk Christianity - the worship of saint Nicholas and saint Michael. Saint Nicholas has all the traits earlier connected to Veles and saint Michael or Iliah the Thunderer has all the traits connected to Perun, yet they are not portrayed as enemies even in post-conversion time, both have their place in folk memory and domestic cult. Also, latter post-Christian conversion folk religion of Slavs definitively demonized forest and water spirits as almost exclusively bad and dangerous.. while it's most certainly wasn't the case in pagan times. That's Christianity imposing dualism on immanent, non-transcendent religion of Slavs. Also, Chernobog ("black god"), was originally most certainly just an attribute or incarnation of Veles, and in no way denotes anything evil but till 12th century it probably accumulated different interpretation. The attribute "black" wasn't about moral judgement but the color black was associated with swamps, a large darker bodies of water, the underworld riches etc.. It's easier to assume different because of the centuries of Christian bias and re-interpretation of these deities, but if we want to stay skeptical and scientific, we can't defend the thesis of Slavic pre-Christian religion being dualistic any more than those supposed elements of dualism are part of other people's religion.

This was very interesting, more of this stuff please

😂😂😂 I died when you said Sunday afternoon cuz this is my Sunday rn haha

That tidbit about sacrificing was so absurd it made me laugh out loud, what a great way to put it 🤣🤣🤣

Hey the Tolkien stuff, when you used the images of a red haired individual with golden light coming from him. That's radagon from elden ring. I may overstepping here but I don't think they're connected. Sorry if I'm wrong just throwing it out there!

Paris Hilton played a leshii on Supernatural

It's a great shame that historians globally still rely on "other cultures' descriptions" of the pre-christian slavic cultures because they still very much exist in villages they were born in.

As a Ukrainian it’s one of my favorite dieties, same as we have house creatures called babayki, they are protectors, they love kids and animals, they play tricks and unless you are evil at heart or harm nature they will make you die, or get hurt, otherwise they are known to be kind to good and respectful people, you can leave them treats like milk or food and it’s going to be appreciated, the forest spirit/creature can shapeshift into any animal or bird and either sing you songs, protect you by making the trees bow during bad storms and feed you/lead you to food. They are neutral just like you said in the video, and they are a common character in children books, that presents as an old man who might ask you for some milk/bread/water, that has a flute and can talk to animals, and if you are nice to him or guess his riddle he will help you in your journey, if not, he can turn you to an animal if you before an evil hunter so that you experience what your prey would, or make you get lost/ loose your mind. Also we have forest mermaids but that’s a different story and leshy and mermaids are usually friends. Also it is said that every forest has a leshy and each forest that once stood had one too but nobody knows what happens to homeless leshies

Awesome thanks

4:20 Iluvatar of the Golden Order lol

hey I know this is an old video, but im russian and a friend of mine actually encountered a leshy while in a forest, they werent under any substance mind you, he described it as it suddenly being very silent, and the forest becoming pitch black as if its a single shadowy entity, he said he and his friends just said something along the lines of we are not here to hurt your forest, packed up and moved to a different spot

Getting flashbacks to monster hunter world and the grinding for the Witcher skin and outfit sets. So many flash bugs

leshy = intimidating lorax

My turkey whistled at me right when he was talking about the whistling 😭

“Who else sits around thinking about what’s in Baltic forests on a Sunday afternoon” Well it’s noon on a Sunday and I’m watching so me too I guess

Sounds like the Puckwegies that we have here in West Virginia,all along the Ohio River..😬

The word "Slav" is derived from the word "slava", which means "glory" in pretty much all slavic languages. Even though some slavic people were captured and traded as slaves by the Vikings, so were Celts, Finns, and other European ethnic groups, the word "Slav" is likely confused with similar sounding Greek word meaning "spoils"

Lol the picture of Radagon for Morgoth gave me a good chuckle.

i believi leshi is sort of a forest spirit because if you cinsider that les means forest in some slavic laguages and duch(spirit) lesa (of the forest ) sounds quite similair to leshi and also that the way you describe it sounds a lot like it

Me... I stay up thinking about what could be living in Baltic forests because my partner of near 14 years is both my DM and is an amateur cryptozoologist and there's a high probability that it will show up at some point in a campaign.

"I am the Leshie! I speak for the trees!" 😊

Haven't heard the Scandinavian Slav origin theory. Last I read, Slavs were descended from the R1a northern Yamnaya who went on to become apparently somewhat cannibalistic (possible connection here and between Ulfsark rituals and Skin walker rituals? Might want to look into) Boudini and Neuri before calling themselves Slavs (therefore making the "slave" word origin rather dubious).

You should look into the Floridian Shark-squach, quite a tale

Please stick to this pre recorded style I really prefer this over the live style videos you’re voice is so much clearer and easily to listen to thanks for the content

I love the puns from your intros

Well now we know where Leshy from inscryption got his name

Remember: Eru created Morgoth

Your intro music with the logo sounds and looks awesome…is it a wendigo?

Usually the funny comparison is what's like on the mythology vs what's like on the anime. In this case is what's like on the mythology vs what's like on pf2e

this explains so much about inscryption

The Stallion of Sami folklore would make an interesting video.

0:58 Maybe the Teutonic Knights and Livonian Sword Brothers do

As someone that was born in Serbia and came to the US 21 years ago at the age of 9. I’m genuinely surprised that you mentioned Serbians in the same sentence as Russian and Poles. We are usually less known(well in any positive ways at least) Slavs. You would not believe how many times I had to explain to people where or what Serbia was lmao.

I'm familiar with the Leshy from Quest for Glory 4, and now you all know that I am old.

Could someone explain why there's a picture of Radagon @4:20? I'm a Fromsoft lore fiend specializing in Elden Ring and was wondering what the connection is here to him and why he's being featured here but never mentioned.

Yo hardbass Totoro seems pretty chill

Nie budź licha kędy śpi, as they say.

Gonna go plant some seeds in the forest, meet a leshy, and plant some more seeds 😉

the games represent it in the best way

1:09 I am watching this on a Sunday afternoon

I am the Leshie, I speak for the trees. And if you destroy my forest, I shall rip out your spleen

If there were only two... Would they be dolce du leshy?

Love the channel an enjoyed this video. However, just fyi, Balts are distinct from Slavs.

SLAVIC LORAX

Would you think Krakonos/Rübezahl is a Leshy? And would you think there is a connection to the original Norse idea of trolls? If the Slavs originally came from scandinavia, maybe they brought some ideas about forest dwellers with them?

I mean hey, if I'm in a Slavic area and I hear whistling and I'm doing nothing I will follow it to find the leshy. I said this right before you said that they lead you to your death by leading you off path. Yeah maybe don't do that. For the serial killer reason too

As a mixed bag american with MAINLY Slavic origins, I frequently wonder about the forests of my ancestors XD though I just assume they’re as wack as the ones here in Appalachia

leshy = lorax

I think about shit like that myself. Lol. Im an occult studies research/folklorist. Look into the new orleans vampire legends and missing persons reports.

Tom bombadil but really tall.

Wonder how much of the Slavs was mixed up with what the Balts worshiped

Huh, the only Leshy I've ever know is the one from Inscryption. Fun game.

4:30 is that radagon💀

My theory is that the leshy is some sort of nephilim

cool

I'm new from wendigoon. What's some of the need to see vids on this channel?

Slavic people clearly came from corded ware culture and we have plenty of dna studies on this, “population formation of south and Central Asia” 2019 Harvard, shows that Slavic and indo Iranian both came from corded ware culture

Epic brö

7:25 wait moravians? Those are (if slavs) western

I've never been this early 🥳 I mean. An hour late. But still.

at 4:19 why is radagon there, am i just dumb?

No way man used Radagon to talk about Morgoth

Oh damn, I'm early

I genuinely enjoy your vids but I wish you would do any basic research when making them. Even a simple google search looking at first couple of suggestions would point you in the right direction my guy. Looking forward to better info in future vids.

Where is the weird bible podcast?!?!?!? 😭😭😭

Would you say that the Slavs were a more a Druidic people, Siri are to the Celtic people? 🇨🇦

The Lorax 10:30-11:14

You might want to study Romuva, Indo European religions are not militaristic, that's more Semitic. Also fun fact, the 2nd to 5th Pope (demanding on the source, and of course at the time would have been the Bishop of Rome) was married to the Grand Niece of the first Flavian Emperor, whose children (raised as Christians) were named the last Flavians heirs