Tradition: Turkish Mythology
Alternative Names: Bastı, Basdı, Al-Basty, Kara-Basty, Qul-Basty, Sary-Basty
Category: Goblin
The Myth
The Basty, also known as Bastı or Basdı, is an evil spirit or goblin in Turkic folklore. In Anatolian traditions, several types of Basty are distinguished, each associated with different frightening characteristics and supernatural dangers. These beings include Al-Basty, Kara-Basty, Qul-Basty, and Sary-Basty, whose appearances and behaviour vary between accounts.
Al-Basty is described as a tall, naked female creature with white skin and an evil nature. Kara-Basty is associated with nightmares and is characterized as a nightmare demon. Qul-Basty has a different pattern of activity: it sleeps in its grave during the day and travels at night. It is portrayed as hairy and foul-smelling, giving it a disturbing physical presence.
Sary-Basty appears as a woman dressed in yellow and is associated with causing epilepsy. Together, these different forms of Basty represent a range of malevolent supernatural beings in Turkic folklore, linked to nightmares, nocturnal activity, and illness.
Sources
“Basty.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed October 17, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basty