Professional paper
Drava River, as Demarcation Line between the Worldly and Ethereal, Unearthly Space - Mythological Events of/around the River in Drava Valley Croats in Hungary
Đuro Franković
; Pecs, Hungary
Abstract
Mythological ‚events’ in tradition of Slavic and Baltic nations, as told in the folklore, speak of the thunder god Perun (Perkunas) and his arch rival Veles or Volos, (Velnias) the cattle god, engaged in fierce and fiery duel. Divine battle is renewed in cycles, usually in Spring, when Veles' epiclesis, the serpent or the devil, leave their space and enter the Perun's epiclesis of Franjo Marcetin, usually in his holy willow or oak tree. The outcome of this divine battle is not without victims or defeat, as the beginning of nature cycle (Spring) brings victory to Franjo Marcetin, yet, at the end of farming cycle (Summer/ harvest) he himself falls a victim, with a crippled hand. Mythology tale of this divine duel in Croatian oral folklore, through the world of mouth in Martinec-originating Croats in Hungarian part Drava valley, right after Belarus literature and Macedonian origins, completes the myth of pagan deities and their hypostases, or, alopersonages.
Keywords
mythological events; duel; Perun; Veles; Franjo Marcetin; serpents-women; devil; axe; dismemberment; new life
Hrčak ID:
112960
URI
Publication date:
1.12.2013.
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