Tradition: Buryat Folklore, Russian Mythology
Alternative Names: Bokholdoy
Category: House dweller
The Myth
Booholdoy is a supernatural being in Buryat folklore that is understood both as a household spirit and, more broadly, as a general term for harmful spirits. In the narrower sense, it belongs to the category of house spirits. In the broader sense, the name refers to an evil spirit into which a person’s soul transforms after death.
Booholdoy is associated with misfortune, illness, and damage to property. As a general designation for malevolent spirits, it represents a supernatural source of suffering that can affect both people and their possessions. Its presence is therefore linked to the dangers attributed to spirits that bring harm into the human world.
The tradition presents Booholdoy as more than a single, clearly defined creature. The name can describe a particular kind of household spirit or serve as a broader label for harmful supernatural beings. This wider meaning connects the spirit to Buryat beliefs about death, the transformation of the soul, and the supernatural origins of misfortune.
Sources
“Bookholdoi.” New Bestiary (Bestiary.us). https://www.bestiary.us/bookholdoi