История / 4. Этнография

Student Demenchuk A.

National Technical University of Ukraine

“Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”

The value of positive and negative features of Dryads

A significant share of the traditional ethnic culture are mythological beliefs and ideas. They include vestiges of ancient religious beliefs (animism, totemism, tribal cults, magic) and elements of the Christian faith. An important place occupied in their system of beliefs associated with various supernatural beings - witches, werewolves, vampires, mermaids, and others.

The first researchers of Hutsul demonology were I. Vahylevych and R. Kayndl. I. Vahylevych initiated researches of folk demonology of Hutsuls and Boyks. R. Kayndl in the monograph "Hutsuls: their life, customs and traditions" collected information about Hutsul demonology. [1]

Folklore and ethnographic records of the past and contemporary field materials demonstrate greater prevalence throughout the forest Hutsul belief in demonic creatures in the form of attractive young women. This kind of variation known in the East and other peoples belief in mermaids, nymphs. In traditional Hutsul versions clearly defined pedigree of these creatures, their external image, character, function, the relationship with people. There was common belief that they come from the souls of children born dead or died unbaptized, look like good girls, they pretty face and round, as long tresses, descend on the shoulder and always wearing flowers. Clothes are thin and transparent, front look like girls, but actually has them neither body nor soul. Because there are no shadows in them, and when run on the grass, it was under their feet not be moved. Leave traces of bare feet of children, like sports, dancing. Places where they produce their fun - trampled clearing in the woods. [2]

In the spring, once the snow begin melting, dryads gaps evenings planted flowers, and when things do spring and bloom on the environment, running on the grass, tearing flowers, swinging on the branches of trees, as in a cradle, weave wreaths and dance. Where they dance, the grass grow better and thicker. [3]

Often dryads help people look after cattle in the meadow, protect it from wild animals, and so on. N. In general characteristics of these creatures Hutsul mythology, the interpretation of their relationship with the people prevail positive features. Hutsul dryads are not dangerous to people, but rather serve them, take care and protect the flock, plant trees, sow a variety of plants in the mountains. [2]

In Ukraine there is a belief that dryads are companions of mermaids, and babies who died without baptism. They are plagued by evil spirits and the only green holidays they are free from the torture. By seven babies soul flying in the air and plaintively asked to be baptized. Holy Sunday - Dryads Day; On this day they come out of the water fun, walking and hiding in the grass in the Rye and garden.

But in some regions, there is another opinion about Dryad. There they are, to some extent, even insidious creatures. People, especially young boys, men, attracted to his singing, calling, garnished appearance lovers. Those who went after them may wind up in obscurity or dry lyuboschamy. To distinguish Dryad from girl you can use the fact that dryads are seen behind insides. Where dryads dancing, grass will not grow ever. Protect yourself from it can only be putting off your shirt and put on inside out.[2]

Dryad most like representations of mermaids that night out of the water, climbs trees and swinging on branches, both rocking and singing songs. Their songs are dangerous: who hears it, he is as fascinated fit close to the mermaids, which are then enticed him to her, will be in the circle will play with him and then zaloskochut and tightened into the river at the bottom. [7 p. 159] Mermaids are often twisted nets fishermen on the field nasylaly degrees. Ancient Ukrainian zadobryuvaly mermaids - staged "seeing mermaids" sacrifice, worship rivers. [6] But mermaids are able to work and good example, protect fields from any trouble. [5]

So, we can say that dryads are the Hutsul "counterpart" of mermaids, albeit with some regional characteristics (mountains and forests). As in the case of mermaids can not say for sure dryads are evil or good. They are cunning lure people into obscurity, kill them, and could spoil the economy, but they do also a good things. People believe that if they placate, the forest goddess will not be angry, and often do good deeds. The question remains open, because the world never has a clear distinction between good and evil, black and white, but only different shades of gray.

References

1. Mythological representations of Hutsul ethnographic studies in nineteenth - twentieth century. [Electronic resource]. - Access : URL : http://irbis-nbuv.gov.ua/cgi-bin/irbis_nbuv/cgiirbis_64.exe?C21COM=2&I21DBN=UJRN&P21DBN=UJRN&IMAGE_FILE_DOWNLOAD=1&Image_file_name=PDF/NaZo_2010_5-6_30.pdf

2. Hutsuls - Ideological perceptions and beliefs. [Electronic resource]. - Access : URL : http://hutsulschyna.com/hutsulshchyna/205-svitohliadni-uiavlennia-i-viruvannia.html

3. Voytovych Valeriy - writer. Mavky. [Electronic resource]. - Access : URL : http://voitovich.carillon.kiev.ua/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=74&Itemid=85

4. "Tini Zabutykh Predkiv" analysis. [Electronic resource]. - Access : URL : http://dovidka.biz.ua/tini-zabutih-predkiv-analiz/

5. Ukrainian mythology. Mermaids. [Electronic resource]. - Access : URL : http://proridne.net/mythology/myth/Русалки.html

6. Plachinda C. Glossary of ancient mythology: - K .: Ukrainian writer, 1993.

7. Alex Voropay. The customs of our people II - Munich: Ukrainian Publishing, 1966.