Tradition: Romanian Mythology, Hungarian Mythology
Alternative Names: Mashurdalo, Mashurdalov, Mashurdals, Mashurdalo (Latin spelling)
Category: Giant
The Myth
Mashurdaly are foolish mountain giants in Romani folklore, particularly in traditions associated with Hungarian, Romanian, and Balkan Romani’s. They inhabit mountains, forests, and wastelands, where they wait for animals or people to pass by. They are described as stupid and easily deceived, often kidnapping women and children or stealing livestock. Their lack of intelligence makes them vulnerable to cunning humans, who can trick them, rob them, or even kill them.
Each Mashurdal has a giant wife and several children, and every member of the family possesses a magical black chicken. Each chicken holds the life and health of its owner within its own body. If a Mashurdal is injured or killed, its chicken swallows an egg laid by a black hen, restoring the giant to health. To defeat one permanently, a person must first find and destroy its black chicken. Although this weakness makes the giants vulnerable, discovering it requires considerable cunning, since the Mashurdaly are dangerous despite their stupidity.
Mashurdaly are also associated with strange magical transformations. A Mashurdal’s wife can transform into a thin, swift horse if a magical bridle is placed around her neck. Anyone who drinks the blood of a Mashurdal gains immense strength. In one tale, a Mashurdal gives his helpful guest a heroic horse with a bridle made from a magical vine, whose growth is guarded by nine black dogs and a dragon called the Ushap. The Mashurdal’s family also owns the egg of a thousand-year-old owl, which contains a worm of happiness.
Stories about these giants sometimes portray them as both dangerous and strangely vulnerable to ordinary tricks. One account describes a family of Mashurdaly whose father has hair that shines like the Sun. When questioned about it, he explains that it burns day and night and takes away his sight. In another story, a Mashurdal lives in a dark forest with a magical iron cave, sleeps on a sheepskin rug, and speaks only in grunting sounds. Some traditions say that Mashurdaly visit villages at night to inspect people’s homes, although dogs can sense their presence and cause them to flee.
Sources
“Mashurdaly.” New Bestiary (Bestiary.us). https://www.bestiary.us/mashurdaly