Tradition: Russian Mythology
Alternative Names: Kulyashi, Kuleshata, Kuleshi
Category: Demon
The Myth
Kulyashi are small water demons from the folklore of the Vologda region of Russia. They live in the water and are said to emerge during Epiphany.
People were afraid of accidentally scooping up a Kulyash when drawing water, and a saying recorded in Vladimir Dal’s dictionary warned that the Kulyashi came out of the water at Epiphany. Because of them, people were careful when going onto or drawing from the water during this time.
In the Russian North, these little water beings were also known as Kuleshi or Kuleshata. They appeared during Svyatki, the Christmas festive period, where they caused trouble and mischief for people. When the festive season came to an end, the creatures disappeared again.
Kulyashi were therefore imagined as small, troublesome supernatural beings that appeared for a short period, disturbed people, and then vanished. They were regarded as a kind of water-dwelling counterpart to the better-known Shulikuny.
Sources
“Куляши (Kulyashi).” New Bestiary (Bestiary.us). Accessed September 7, 2026. https://www.bestiary.us/Kulyashi