Tradition: Polish Mythology
Alternative Names: Bobak, Bobaki
Category: Demon
The Myth
Bobak is a demonic creature found in several forms in Slavic folklore. In some traditions, it is a bogeyman of unspecified appearance, while in others it can take the form of a white dog or a cat.
In southeastern Łódź, Bobak was associated with the odmieniec, a demonic changeling believed to be a human child replaced by the demoness Boginka-Mamuna. Unlike an ordinary child, the demonic child was quiet, barely moved, and showed no appetite while other members of the household were present.
When left alone in the house, however, the Bobak became voracious and was also fond of alcohol. If the demonic child survived into adulthood, it was said to become disabled and distrustful of people, although this was uncommon because Bobaks generally died during infancy.
In the Wieluń region, Bobaks were instead described as mischievous dwarves. In the region of Kutno, they were believed to be small devils or demonic children.
Sources
“Bobak (Slavic demon).” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed September 10, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobak_(Slavic_demon)