In Bulgarian, Macedonian and Serbian folklore Ala or Hala is a feminine mythological entity (considered as demon). As a demonic entity it is associated with bad weather and is responsible for causing hailstorms with thunder particularly in locations of crop-fields, vineyards or orchards. It is believed such bad weather conditions are caused by her to loot the crops. Her greed has no bounds and can she even devour children. Not just with mortal beings, in her hunger she could even consume the Sun and Moon and cause eclipses. If she so succeeds in her endeavor, she would cause the end of the world we know. Those who encounter her, can have their physical and mental state in deep trouble and can even lose their life. However, one can be blessed by her grace if she is approached with respect and faith and with her favor can be endowed with riches and have her blessings in times of trouble. The humanlike personality of Ala in folklores is analogical to Baba Yaga character of Russian mythology. She is a shape-shifter and can take various forms from that of human beings to animals and can even posses a man’s body. Her depiction is diverse in folktales and varies from humanlike to snakelike demon to female dragon to raven. This wide variation in her depiction is probably because of symbiosis of Slavic demon of coarse-weather and that of the representation of pre-Slavic demonic entity of the Balkans. The places of dwelling of Ales are places like clouds, lakes, springs, unreachable mountains, mammoth trees and caves. Dragons and Eagles are known as natural opponents of Ales and defend against them. In Serbia, men who possessed some features of Ales were called Aloviti men and were believed to be exceptionally strong. (Image: Serbian Grand Prince Stefan Nemanja of Serbian Grand Principality was considered to be a Aloviti Man) [Info and Image Credit: Ala_(demon) , Wikipedia] [Image-URL : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Simeon_Ljeviska.jpg ]
Legends and Myths
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