Solotaja Baba

Solotaja Baba (the golden woman), a deity of the Slavic mythology, who was worshipped in the extreme east of European Russia, and whose image was covered with gold. The nomads and hunters of the steppes offered her beasts taken from their herds, or the skins of animals taken in the chase. The hollow statue of the goddess was occupied by the priest who was selected to pronounce her oracles; and the opportunity so afforded was largely used to persuade the assembled shepherds to make more liberal offerings. The blood of the sacrifices was used to smear the eyes and mouth of the goddess, and what remained of the animal became the property of the servants.