Кладенецът – културен факт в бита на патриархалното село
The Well – a Cultural Fact in the Everyday Life of the Patriarchal Community

Summary/Abstract: An attempt is made in the study to trace the process by which the well as one of the artificially made water sources changes its status through its implication in a ritual context. Thus, from an object of everyday life use it becomes a cultural fact. The author considers the ritual practices connected with the basic phases of its creation: initial digging, coming forth of the first water, building in and completion. The ritual acts accompanying the creation of the new water source are aimed, most generally, at its sacral marking. They are discussed here according to the following pattern: action – change (new condition) – action taking into consideration the new condition. The author traces also elements which are involved in ritual practices that go with the building of the water source. She points out their presence in customs and rites related to family and calendrical feasts. This fact gives evidence that the entire complex of customs and ritual acts connected with the building of a well is not isolated, it is linked to our system of customs and feasts. Further on the role of the well as a social and sacral centre in the life of the patriarchal community is underlined. It is present in customs and rites related to family and calendrical feasts. Man in patriarchal society made sacral such an object of utilitarian functions as the well. It became one of the sacral points in the village where ritual acts were performed in certain cases. Hence, its transformation into a sign with a symbolic meaning.

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