Also called Ovinnyi, Podovinnik, Rigacheek.
Their story
In northern Russia sheaves were dried over a fire in a barn called the ovin before threshing, and fire was a constant danger. The ovinnik, often pictured as a large black cat with burning eyes, lived in the pit beneath and could set the barn alight if offended. Farmers greeted him on entering and left him pancakes, and never dried grain on the great feast days.
Best times to give to them
- before drying the harvest
- autumn
- the ovinnik's name-day in November (in some regions)
What they like being given
- pancakes (bliny)
- bread
- a bowl of porridge left in the barn
How to honour them
- Treat any place of heat, such as an oven, with care and respect.
- Say thank you to your food store when you put away the harvest or the shopping.
How they can help you
- fire safety
- protecting stored food
- care with tools and heat
Symbols
- a black cat with burning eyes
- the kiln
- sheaves
Sources
- Linda J. Ivanits, Russian Folk Belief
- S. V. Maksimov, Nechistaia, nevedomaia i krestnaia sila (1903)