Tradition: Adyghe Mythology, Russian Mythology,
Alternative Names: Mezil, Meylaj
Category: Forest dweller
The Myth
Mazyl is a fearsome humanoid forest creature from Adyghe mythology, with a body covered in thick fur and an axe-shaped protrusion extending from his chest. He dresses in animal skins and dwells in the forests, where his strange appearance and frightening presence make him a dangerous being to encounter. The axe-like growth on his chest is his most distinctive feature and serves as a weapon against those who cross his path.
In one tale, a hunter meets Mazyl after sharing a meal with the forest creature. The hunter, having eaten alongside Mazyl, cleverly overcomes him by placing a log on his bed and covering it with birch bark to make it resemble a sleeping person. Mazyl mistakes the log for the hunter and leaps at it, attempting to strike it with the axe-shaped growth on his chest. The hunter then takes advantage of the creature’s mistake and defeats him.
Mazyl belongs to a wider group of Caucasian forest beings known for their hairy bodies, unusual weapons, and dangerous encounters with hunters. Like these related creatures, he represents the frightening and unpredictable nature of the wilderness, where a traveller may encounter a powerful supernatural being whose strength must be overcome through cleverness rather than brute force.
Sources
“Mezyl.” New Bestiary (Bestiary.us). Accessed October 12, 2026. https://www.bestiary.us/mezyl