The Witch in Myths, Rites, and Beliefs of the Albanians Cover Image
  • Price 6.00 €

The Witch in Myths, Rites, and Beliefs of the Albanians
The Witch in Myths, Rites, and Beliefs of the Albanians

Author(s): Agron Xhagolli
Subject(s): Anthropology
Published by: SHKENCA Akademia e Shkencave e Shqipërisë
Keywords: Witch ; Myths; Rites; Beliefs of the Albanian; Albania

Summary/Abstract: While one can say good words regarding the collection of die ethnographic matter about the witch it is impossible to say the same about the studies on her. Until now special studies devoted to this figure are lacking. Different scholars have stressed that the witch is one of the Albanian mythological figures, have given her some features in relation with other figures, or have viewed her in function of some other problem. The mentioned study of M.Lambertz, parallely with die mythological figures and Albanian popular beliefs, carries some general data about the witch. Also Nopsca in his work in handwriting "The Spiritual Culture of Albania: the Religious Points of View" devotes a subdivision to the witch. We find also determined elements of the figure of the witch even in some other author as J. Nushi. But there are not more than marginal notes of die general problems connected with the witch. On die whole, we can affirm that until now authentic studies devoted to the figure of the witch are missing. She has not been particular object of study. Starting from this given state of study in this work we shall try to outline and define the most general features of die witch, her role and die functions she performs in the popular beliefs, her relations with the real or mythical figures. In this connection, after the overall survey in such stages as the everyday life, the preliminary preparations to become a witch, die transformation into a witch and the processes she accomplishes, the termination of the action and the coming back into the everyday human life, will be examined the extraordinary abilities attributed to her, the consequences she brings about as well as the ways and means conceived by the people to shun or avoid her completely.

  • Issue Year: XXXI/1994
  • Issue No: 01+02
  • Page Range: 093-104
  • Page Count: 12
  • Language: English