Egy berettyószéplaki cigány asszony hiedelmei
The Structure and Functions of a Gipsy Woman’s Beliefs from Berettyószéplak (Suplacu de Barcău, Romania)

Summary/Abstract: In my thesis I present the beliefs of A. V., a Gipsy woman from Berettyószéplak, identifying the importance of these beliefs in her life and view of life, as well as the functions of these beliefs. Further on, I analyze the occasions related to the beliefs’ acquiring and usage. I examine the relationship between the beliefs and the strategy of life view. ?. Moreover, I focus on the livelier part of her beliefsand the reason of their liveliness, as well as on the categories that have lost their functions and are fading away in her life. Data collection was made with a dictaphone / I made data collection with a dictaphone on the basis of the questionnaire prepared in advance. A.V.’s system of beliefs can be divided into 4 well distinguishable parts: 1. Persons with superhuman power. 2. Supernatural beings. 3. Animals. 4. Other beliefs (Magic). My informant has beliefs that are alive and mainly operable. A. V.’s set of beliefs infl uences her world concept; it affects her conduct of life and it is refl ected in her activities and social relationships.

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