Croatian Sacred Waters. From Fairies and Healing Water in the Imaginarium to Contemporary Water/River Art

Abstract

This article broadly surveys the role of water in Croatian ethnic tradition. Beginning with
pre-Christian perceptions of healing (babas or hags) and fairies associated with watery sites,
the essay offers a summary of previous works on Croatian water lore. Moving into the present,
this article considers water traditions of the Slavic folklore, how these have endured
and been renegotiated over time and how they now find expression in contemporary water
and river art.