Bukavac (Serbo-Croatian pronunciation: [bǔːkaʋat͡s]) is a demonic mythical creature in Slavic mythology.1 Belief in it existed in Syrmia.2
Bukavac was sometimes imagined as a six-legged monster with gnarled horns and bright blue eyes. 2 It lives in lakes and pools, coming out of the water during the night to make a loud noise (hence the name: buka – noise). It would jump onto people and animals and strangle them.2
References
References
- Bane, Theresa (10 January 2014). Encyclopedia of Demons in World Religions and Cultures. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-8894-0. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- Kulišić, Špiro; Petrović, Petar Ž.; Pantelić, Nikola (1970). "Bukavac" Букавац. Srpski Mitološki Rečnik Српски митолошки речник (in Serbian). Belgrade: Nolit. p. 48. OCLC 749044966.