Mythical Creatures of the Tamnava Region: A Basic Mythological Code in the Serbian Folk Religion Cover Image

Прилог реконструкцији базичног митолошког кода српске народне религије - митска бића Тамнаве
Mythical Creatures of the Tamnava Region: A Basic Mythological Code in the Serbian Folk Religion

Author(s): Ivica Todorović
Subject(s): Customs / Folklore, Geography, Regional studies, Theology and Religion, Semantics, Cultural Anthropology / Ethnology
Published by: Етнографски институт САНУ
Keywords: Tamnava; basic mythical entity and categories; mythological logical square; Serbian folk mythology;

Summary/Abstract: Based on the fieldwork data and literature on Serbian ethnicity, the author argues that a unique mythical pattern exists among Serbs. This pattern represents the basic global set of mythical entities in Serbian folk religion. After serious structural-semantic analysis of a number of various mythical entities and motives, the author discovers a unique mythological base, established in firm semantic categories and relations. In this sense, there are four basic mythical relations found at the base of the corresponding semantic systems: a four-member base of the first and foremost mythological code. The cited mythical sets are found also in other areas occupied by Serbs; therefore, they should represent the base of the whole Serbian folk mythology. Some other specific mythical entities also exist, neither so universal nor a part of this set, and therefore are excluded from the discussion.

  • Issue Year: LII/2004
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 205-225
  • Page Count: 21
  • Language: Serbian