Kubai () is the goddess of birth and children in

Turkic mythology Turkic mythology refers to myths and legends told by the Turkic people. It features Tengrism, Tengrist and Shamanism in Central Asia, Shamanist strata of belief along with many other social and cultural constructs related to the nomadic and wa ...

. She protects women who give birth and gives the children souls. She protects things that are pure and clean on Earth and is also seen as the goddess of cleanliness. Kubai has a serious look and long hair, with a middle-aged appearance and she was daughter of

Kayra Kayra or Kaira (Old Turkic: 𐰴𐰖𐰺𐰀) is the creator god in Turkic mythology. He is the god who planted the tree of life called Ulukayın. Kayra is described as both father and mother, and resides in the 17th layer of heaven. Kayra is ...

. She brings the milk from the Sutgol in a container made of animal skin and drips it into the mouth of the newborn baby.Türk Söylence Sözlüğü, Deniz Karakurt, Türkiye, 201

/ref> This makes the baby want more milk and they start to move towards the outside world. She lives inside the Ulukayın tree, from which the Bengisu (Water of Life) flows. The

Ulukayın Ulukayın is the Tree of Life in Turkic mythology, folk belief and shamanism. It is the tree of life that connects the earth and the sky. Its meaning and importance It was erected by Kayra. It was created with the world. It is in the very center ...

tree and Kubai emit light. She is half-naked, with legs and feet resembling tree roots. She gives a healing milk from her chest. When a pregnant woman gives birth, she descends from the sky and stands beside her, but the woman cannot see her. She eases the woman's pains. She protects and educates the child. She protects and educates the child. When a child cries during a dream and sleeps restlessly, Kubai is said to have left him. On the child reaching the age of six months, a Kam (

shaman Shamanism is a spiritual practice that involves a practitioner (shaman) interacting with the spirit world through altered states of consciousness, such as trance. The goal of this is usually to direct spirits or spiritual energies into ...

) is invited for a special ceremony to Kubai-Ana (Mother Kubai). During this they ask Kubai to safeguard and protect the baby. A

talisman A talisman is any object ascribed with religious or magical powers intended to protect, heal, or harm individuals for whom they are made. Talismans are often portable objects carried on someone in a variety of ways, but can also be installed perm ...

(a small bow and arrow) is attached to the cradle, symbolising the weapon Kubai uses against malicious spirits. The complete care and the constant presence of Kubai near the child continues until he learns to walk, run, understand speech, and speak fluently. Kubai’s function is as a Goddess of reproduction. It was to her that barren couples prayed for a child. Some still believe that Kubai remains in the

umbilical cord In Placentalia, placental mammals, the umbilical cord (also called the navel string, birth cord or ''funiculus umbilicalis'') is a conduit between the developing embryo or fetus and the placenta. During prenatal development, the umbilical cord i ...

to protect the child, and umbilical cord may be buried near the hearth.

References

External links

Kün Kübey Xotun (Ürüñ Arılı Xotun)

Türk Mitolojisinde Anne, Muharrem Kaya

{{Turkic Deities Turkic goddesses