In
Ob-Ugrian mythology, Heini-iki, also referred to as Kul-iki, is the god of the
Underworld and of the spirits of sickness.
He is opposite in nature to his brother
Numi-Torum, the heavenly god. He can appear in the shape of a dog or cat, or sometimes as a fog that hides a person from their guardian spirit.
The
Khanties of the
Surgut
Surgut ( rus, Сургу́т, p=sʊrˈgut; Khanty: Сәрханӆ, ''Sərhanł'') is a city in Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, Russia, located on the Ob River near its junction with the Irtysh River. It is one of the few cities in Russia to be lar ...
area described him as black in color. Animal sacrifices to him were also to be black in color.
These sacrifices were to prevent illness among the people. His name was not to be spoken, especially in the presence of a sick or dying person.
References
Ob-Ugrian gods
Shapeshifting
Underworld gods
Death gods
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