REGARDING THE RUSALKA

Recently we gave some information about rusalkas, folkloric creatures of Eastern Europe.  We have now come to an encounter that happened to no less a person than Russian novelist Ivan Turgenev (1818-96).  Turgenev was swimming in a river when he was suddenly touched from behind.  It was a humanoid, clearly female which touched him on the shoulder.  She in some ways resembled of a monkey or ape.  She had long unkempt hair.  Turgenev fled and she pursued him, laughing and touching him from behind.

Turgenev did not pause to don his clothing, but fled.

This incident occurred in the Desna River, Ukraine, which was in a much forested area.

Rusalka and swimmer