HIEROFANIA E GURIT (SIPAS DISA SHEMBUJVE TË TRADITËS SONË FOLKLORIKE)
STONE HIEROPHANY (AFTER SOME EXAMPLES OF ALBANIAN FOLKLORE TRADITION)

Summary/Abstract: This scientific paper mainly outlines the folklore motif, or rather to say - the mythology dedicated to petrifaction of the human world by supernatural beings, respectively by fairies. Based on concrete examples, it seeks to break through archaic mythical logic and at the same time to justify the action of the folkloric and mythical protagonists. Indeed, petrifaction of people by mythical creatures - fairies is a consequence of inadequate communication between the human world and the supernatural world, as two separate worlds with different codes of action, even converse ones. The content of the scientific paper examines two types of petrification: one described as reversible metamorphosis when human beings, namely the wedding processors after temporary petrification come back to life or to the initial state. While, the second petrification described as irreversible metamorphosis involves folklore and mythical motives when petrified human beings cannot come back to life, but continue their further existence in an inorganic form, into the petrified one, respectively. The punishment effected in the form of the metamorphosis of human beings into inorganic beings or stones, according to traditional belief, is the fruit of some prior sin or sacrilege committed towards supernatural beings or because of violation of a code governing family or social relations.

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