IN OUR WORLD: HUMAN AGENCY IN MEDIEVAL AND EARLY MODERN BULGARIAN VERBAL MAGIC
IN OUR WORLD: HUMAN AGENCY IN MEDIEVAL AND EARLY MODERN BULGARIAN VERBAL MAGIC
Author(s): Svetlana TsonkovaSubject(s): Cultural history, Customs / Folklore, Social history, Middle Ages, 16th Century, 17th Century
Published by: NEW EUROPE COLLEGE - Institute for Advanced Studies
Keywords: apotropaic verbal amulets; crisis management; crisis rites; magical paraphernalia and proxemics; power narratives; quotidian applications of magic; verbal magic; verbal charms;
Summary/Abstract: This article deals with verbal magic, seen as power interaction between the human realm and the realm of the supernatural. Based on source material of approximately 200 medieval and early modern Bulgarian verbal charms, the study exmines the human agency in the belief system and practice of verbal charming. First, the article analyses the ritual performance, with its instructions, actions, paraphernalia, settings, human actors and proxemics. Then, the study deals with verbal amulets as major application and manifestation of verbal magic. Finally, the article investigates the ellusive figure of the charmer, via thorough collection of all data available, and offers synthesis of the various charming systems.
Journal: New Europe College Yearbook
- Issue Year: 2017
- Issue No: 17
- Page Range: 127-154
- Page Count: 28
- Language: English
