Birth-Mother of the Mari

Meadow Mari ⟨Шочынава⟩ Šočyn Ava (šoč- 'to be born' + ava 'mother'). A solitary mother-power; her birth-tutelage complements the moon-god Tõlze's guardianship of marriage and birth. Part of the ava series with Mlande-Ava, Tul-Ava and Mardezh-Ava.

Domains

• birth and childbirth
• fertility and new life

Powers

• grants children and brings them safely to birth
• receives prayers and offerings from those seeking or expecting children

Relations

• manifestation of: Great Sky-God of the Mari

Sources

• Toidybekova, L. S. Mari Mythology: Encyclopedic Reference. Yoshkar-Ola, 2007 (Shochyn-Ava).
• Holmberg, Uno (Harva). Finno-Ugric and Siberian Mythology (The Mythology of All Races, Vol. IV). Marshall Jones, 1927, Cheremis sections.
• Sebeok, Thomas A., and Frances J. Ingemann. Studies in Cheremis: The Supernatural. Viking Fund, 1956.