Kowava

Kovava (m., E. Kov “moon”, ava “woman”) is the deity of the moon in Mordovian mythology.

In the works of folklore, Mordovians usually appear with Chipaz: “I looked forward - Chipaz the breadwinner came, looked back - mother Kovpaz was coming” (Paasonen H. Proben der mordwinischen Volksliteratur, Helsinki, 1891, bd. 1, s. 190). “When they see a new month for the first time, they bow down and ask him to send them happiness during his government” (Georgi I.G. Description of the peoples living in the Russian state ..., St. Petersburg, 1795, part 1, p. 46 ) Assuming that human health depends on Kovava, and now elderly people from Mordovia bow to her at the new moon and ask: "New month, give me good health, and you - healthy bread with a salt shaker ...". It was believed that the one who first sees the new moon will be happy for a month.