Chugaister is a mythological creature in Ukrainian folklore, unknown to other Slavic people. He was imagined as a cheerful creature, covered in black or white fur and with blue eyes. He dances, sings and hunts for mavkas, who lure young lumberjacks and shepherds into the wilderness and destroy them. There was a belief that he was a man who was cursed by witches, who "made" him. Sometimes Chugaister was imagined in the form of the wind or a tornado. It was said that he has a cheerful disposition and loves to dance and sing. It was believed that Chugaister destroys female spirits (mavky, povitruly), which are dangerous to people, and eats them.
For humans, according to most beliefs, Chugaister is not dangerous. He loves to sit by the human fire and fry a caught mavka on it. Sometimes Chugaister leads people into a crazy dance, which shoes can't withstand.