TRANSFORMATION OF REPRESENTATIONS ABOUT THE SPIRITS OF HOME SPACE IN THE TRADITIONAL CULTURE OF THE CHUVASH OF ULYANOVSK REGION
Based on the authors’ field research, the article analyzes preservation and transformation of the faith in the spirits of home space among the Chuvash population of Ulyanovsk region. To establish the current state of the problem under study, in 2020 the authors conducted a survey of residents of different age categories and gender residing the village of Nizhnyaya Yakushka in Novomalyklinsky region. Among the respondents, women of the middle and older age groups were more superstitious. The study also showed preservation of the system of representations and rituals associated with the spirits of the home space, among which faith in the house sprite occupies an important place. To a lesser extent, there continues to be a belief in other mythological creatures (bath house gnome, granary gnome), allegedly living in outbuildings, which, according to the villagers, ensure prosperity and well-being of the household.