Albasti, an element of the Turkish belief in jinn, is a supernatural female creature that haunts women, children and horses. She is also known as Albastı, Albıs, Al Karısı, Al Anası, Al Kızı or simply Al.
She is also known as Albastı, Albıs, Al Karısı, Al Anası, Al Kızı or simply Al. Albastı, a figure of Turkish jinn belief, is depicted as a supernatural female creature. She especially haunts puerperant women and can cause puerperal malaria in them and cause them to die. This disease is often referred to as al bastı, meaning “the torment of Al”. In Turkish, the word “Al” means red and is also associated with the meaning of deceiving.
Albasma or Puerperal Fever
Albasma; It is a nerve disease, suffocating distress or epilepsy believed to be caused by the Al Karısı. It is also called Puerperal Fever and is a disease that occurs with high fever and occurs due to lack of attention to cleanliness. Depending on the effects mentioned, it can also cause fainting and a state of fear. When the pregnant woman starts to lose blood, she starts to see different beings. The thing she fears the most comes before her eyes. As a result, she sometimes faints. At that time, the Al Karısı kneels on the pregnant woman’s chest and stops her breathing. The pregnant woman cannot eat or drink, her breath becomes short. In order to get rid of this situation, she is taken to the Al Hearth. This place is usually a holy place or the grave of a saint.
Albastı steals horses and braids their manes
Albastı also watches horses. It is believed that she steals them from their stables at night in order to ride them until dawn. Horse owners realise this when they find their horses again in the morning, covered in sweat and with braided manes.
Albastı is afraid of males, iron and gunfire
It is believed that adult males can catch Albastı to serve them. Thus, by gaining the power of “Al’s hearth (house)”, they gain the power to save from the disease spread by this malicious creature. The presence of males in the environment, keeping iron objects in the pantry and drinking red coloured drinks are the primary means used by puerperant women to protect themselves against the evil of Albastı. It is also believed that Albastı is frightened by the sound of a rifle and runs away. For this reason; when it is realised that the puerperant woman is being tormented by Albastı, a gun shot is fired into the air.
Regions where Albastı Belief is Common
Widespread beliefs and stories about Albastı are found in many parts of Turkey, as well as in the Caucasus, Iran and Turkish-speaking Central Asian countries. It is often referred to as Albastı or Al Anası, whose meaning can only be explained in Turkish. Regardless of the epics and experiences about the origin of this supernatural creature, wherever it is encountered under this name, it is presumed to be based on the narratives produced by Turkish-speaking communities.
It has also passed into the Adyghe language in the form of “Kulbastı”. Albastı and Kulbastı also bring to mind Aleybanı (Alyabani) and Kuleybanı (Gulyabani), whose names are of Persian origin. It is also found in Udmurt and Mari languages as Alvasta and Alvastı.
