Review article
Mythology, Rite and Conceptions of Time in Land-Tillers and Nomads
Maja DRAGUN
Abstract
This work deals with the analysis of the connection between
the night and day systems of symbolism with the economic,
mythological, ritual and religious spheres of life of the
ancient peoples and communities. It is stated that the
mentioned systems of symbolism establish the axioms of the
communities as well as specific conceptions of time. It can
thus be observed that there is an organic connection
between the night system of symbolism and the agricultural
on the one hand, and the day system of symbolism with the
nomadic style of life on the other in the following way: a)
nomads are devoted to patriarchal monotheism, the
ideology of the New Beginning, the solar cult, ritual
sacrificing of animals, shamanist symbolism and the linear
concept of time; b) land-tillers are inclined towards
matriarchal polytheism, lunar epiphany, fertility rites with
cyclical human sacrifices, beliefs in incarnation and
reincarnation and the cyclical concept of time. Also
presented is the way in which animal offerings, both in land-
-tillers and nomads, are euphemised in time whereas the
once real sacrificing turns into rites of symbolic evocation of
the divine sacrifice.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
19312
URI
Publication date:
31.10.2003.
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