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Younik, Joŭnik or Jownik (Belarusian: Ёўнік) - is a creature from Belarusian mythology. It is also often called a "farmstead creature", because Younik lives in a drying barn (or "younia" in Belarusian language). Younia is a place in the country estate yard where the sheaves of grain were dried before threshing.
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Description
In Belarusian folklore, Younik is usually described as a black creature, small in height and dirty because of smoke. Younik is often covered with soot and spider web.
Mode of life
Younik is a hardworking and economic creature. Younik is in constant care: it starts up the fire, airs the sheaves, protects the harvest from malevolent people. But Younik is ashamed of being always dirty from soot and smoke, therefore it constantly hides from people.
Due to the ongoing work with the oven, in Belarusian folklore Younik is described as being black because of smoke and of a strange shape covered with soot and spider web.