Author
Krasykov Mykhailo
candidate of philological sciences, professor of the Department of Ukrainian Studies, Cultural Studies and History of Science of the National Technical University “Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute”, director of the H. Khotkevych Ethnographic Museum “Treasures of Slobozhanshchyna”, NTU “KhPI”.
From the folk demonology of Transcarpathians: nechystyy (according to expedition materials)
Abstract
Folk demonology of Ukrainians belongs to the priority subjects of the present-day researchers of folk culture. It has been studied assiduously also by the ethnographers and folklorists of the 19th – 20th centuries. Transcarpathians’ demonology is not an exclusion here. It is studied systematically by the scientists of today at the expeditions. The proposed article is written after the materials, recorded by the author during the folklore-ethnographic expedition of 2017 in the villages of Rakhiv district of Transcarpathian region.
It’s dedicated to the image of devil in the perception of the rural population of the region. The range of devil local names is proposed. Typical superstitions are analyzed. Comparing the present-day records with the texts, obtained a hundred and more years ago not only in Transcarpathian region but in the whole Carpathian one, the author concludes that tradition of this character perception is permanent and sustainable and alive. The narrations that devil can be ‘heated’ while sitting on the masonry stove with an egg from the black hen under the left armpit for nine days and following certain conditions are still very popular. The records about the people who ‘have got a devil’ and their contact with devilry are submitted.
The narratives, where the respondents tell about their personal meeting with a devil and describe (often rather at length) its appearance and behavior, still happen. There are quite a few traditional stories about the address to demon (‘did’ko’ who is called sometimes as a devil) in the case of some object disappearance in the house. A considerable number of texts about the people’s attempts to get rid of devil, including its sale at the market or granting as a ‘frienly gift’ to some acquaintances which is marked by the phrase ‘bery zo vsim’ (take it with everything) is analyzed. Attention is paid to the narratives where the ‘hromovytsia’ is described. It is a tree hit by a lighting (‘thunder’ according to folk terminology), which can’t be used not only for house building but for its heating as well. However, as it turns out, just with the help of this tree splinters one can get rid of a devil in the own house on Easter day. The local, regional, all-Ukrainian or all-Slavic nature of one or another legend recorded by the author is mentioned constantly in the work.
Keywords
Ukrainian folk demonology, Transcarpathia, Hutsuls, devil, current records.
References
- HAPAK, Oksana. ‘The Lowest’ Mythology of Khmelev Inhabitants: [Interview with M. Vatrema and Anna Fedorivna, conducted by I. Kostak and O. Hapak]. In: KOTSAN, Vasyl, Pavlo LENIO, compilers. The Carpathians Ethnics: Scientific Annual: Articles and Materials of Ethnographic Expeditions. Uzhhorod, 2017, 2, 78–81 [in Ukrainian].
- HNATIUK, Volodymyr. Essay of Ukrainian Mythology. (Text prepared and prefaced by Roman KYRCHIV). Lviv: NASU Institute of Ethnology, 2000, 264 pp. [in Ukrainian].
- HOYAN, M.-N. Folk Demonology of the Village of Vodytsia: [Interview with Vasylyna, born in 1946, conducted by S. Starosta and M.-N. Hoyan]. In: KOTSAN, Vasyl, Pavlo LENIO, compilers. The Carpathians Ethnics: Scientific Annual: Articles and Materials of Ethnographic Expeditions. Uzhhorod, 2017, 2, 95–97 [in Ukrainian].
- DRAHUSKA, E. Beliefs of the village of Verkhnie Vodiane: [Interview with M. D. Pukman, born in 1935, conducted by A. Ulitina and E. Drahuska]. In: KOTSAN, Vasyl, Pavlo LENIO, compilers. The Carpathians Ethnics: Scientific Annual: Articles and Materials of Ethnographic Expeditions. Uzhhorod, 2017, 2, 82–84 [in Ukrainian].
- (OHIYENKO) Ilarion, metropolitan. Pre-Christian Beliefs of Ukrainian People: Historical- Religious Monograph. Kyiv: Oberehy, 1991, 424 pp. [in Ukrainian].
- LINTUR, Petro, Ivan CHENDEI, recorders, compilers, eds. The Fairy Tales of Green Mountains: [Stories of Mykhailo Halytsia]. Uzhhorod: Karpaty, 1965, 232 pp. [in Ukrainian].
- KAINDL, Raimund Friedrich. Hutsuls: Their Life, Customs and Folk Legends. Chernivtsi: Molodyi bukovynets, 2000, 208 pp. [in Ukrainian].
- KLIUCHAK, Volodymyr. Has a Hen Laid a Znosok (Useless Egg)? Available from: https:// protruskavets.org.ua/kurka-znesla-znosok/ [in Ukrainian].
- KOROL, Vasyl. Werewolf in Demonological Beliefs of the Transcarpathian Hutsuls. In: KOTSAN, Vasyl, Mariyana MEHELA, compilers. Scientific Collection of Transcarpathian Museum of Folk Architecture and Life. Uzhhorod, 2019, 6, 353–357 [in Ukrainian].
- KOROL, Vasyl. Domestic Ghosts in Folk Demonology of the Rakhiv District Hutsuls (After the Field Materials). Traditional Culture in the Conditions of Hlobalization: Preservation of Authenticity and Development of Creative Industries: Materials of Theoretical and Practical Conference, June 22–23, 2018. Kharkiv, 2018, pp. 196–205 [in Ukrainian].
- KOROL, Vasyl. People with Demonic Features and Capacities, ‘Professionals’ in Traditional Beliefs of the Transcarpathian Hutsuls (After the Field Materials). Open-Air Museum in Sociocultural Scope: Materials of International Theoretical Conference, Dedicated to the 50th Anniversary of the National Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine Foundation. Kyiv, 2019, pp. 199–206 [in Ukrainian].
- KOROL, Vasyl. Folk Demonology of the Transcarpathian Hutsuls: Extended Abstract of Candidate’s Thesis. Lviv, 2019, 20 pp. [in Ukrainian].
- KOSTAK, I. Folk Magic of the Village of Luh: [Interview with M. M. Kuryliak, born in 1945, and O. V. Bernar, born in 1943, conducted by I. Kostak and M. Krasykov]. In: KOTSAN, Vasyl, Pavlo LENIO, compilers. The Carpathians Ethnics: Scientific Annual: Articles and Materials of Ethnographic Expeditions. Uzhhorod, 2017, 2, 73–77 [in Ukrainian].
- KRASYKOV, Mykhailo. The Magic of Usualness (After the Materials of Expeditionary Studies). Kharkov Historical-Archaeological Collection. Kharkov, 2018, 23, 72–83. Available from: http://knigoizdat.org.ua/HIAS/hias_23.pdf [in Ukrainian].
- KRASYKOV, Mykhailo. The Magic of Holiday in Traditional Folk Culture of the Transcarpathians (After the Materials of Field Studies in Rakhiv District in 2017). In: KOTSAN, Vasyl, Pavlo LENIO, compilers. The Carpathians Ethnics: Scientific Annual: Articles and Materials of Ethnographic Expeditions. Uzhhorod, 2018, 3, 79–93 [in Ukrainian].
- KRASYKOV, Mykhailo. Everyday Magic Today (After the Materials of Field Studies in Rakhiv District in 2016). Traditional Culture in the Conditions of Globalization: Modern Discourse concerning the Preservation and Popularization of Immaterial Cultural Heritage: Materials of Theoretical and Practical Conference, June 23–24, 2017. Kharkiv, 2017, pp. 141–147 [in Ukrainian].
- KRASYKOV, Mykhailo. Presumption of Good in Traditional Folk Culture of Ukrainians (After the Materials of Field Studies of 2017). Materials of the First International Theoretical Conference ‘Culture in the Process of Spiritual-Moral Development of the Global Society’. Kharkiv, February 21, 2018. Kharkiv, 2018, pp. 49–59. Available from: http://dspace.khntusg.com.ua/ handle/123456789/1899 [in Ukrainian].
- KRASYKOV, Mykhailo. The Principle of Superiority in the Customs of Present-Day Transcarpathians (After the Expeditionary Materials of 2017 to Rakhiv District). Traditional Culture in the Conditions of Globalization: Preservation of Authenticity and Development of Creative Industries: Materials of Theoretical and Practical Conference, June 22–23, 2018. Kharkiv, 2018, pp. 214–223 [in Ukrainian].
- KRASYKOV, Mykhailo. Plants in the Beliefs of Current Transcarpathians (After the Expeditionary Materials). Traditional Culture in the Conditions of Globalization and Synergy of Tradition and Innovation: Materials of Theoretical and Practical Conference, June 21–22, 2019. Kharkiv, 2019, pp. 134–140 [in Ukrainian].
- KRASYKOV, Mykhailo. Sociocultural Norms of Behaviour of the Inhabitants of the Urban-Type Settlement of Velykyi Bychkiv of Rakhiv District of Transcarpathian Region of Ukraine. Romanian-Ukrainian Relations. History and Contemporaneity. Täsnad, 26–28 octombrie 2017. Relaţii romano-ukrainene, Istorie şi contemporaneitate. Satu Mare Bucureşti, 2018, pp. 395–404 [in Ukrainian].
- KRASYKOV, Mykhailo. The Present-Day Magic Practices of Transcarpathians. In: KOTSAN, Vasyl, Pavlo LENIO, compilers. The Carpathians Ethnics: Scientific Annual: Articles and Materials of Ethnographic Expeditions. Uzhhorod, 2017, 2, 38–44 [in Ukrainian].
- KRESLAV, Vitaliy. Khovanets (House Spirit) in Folk Beliefs of the Carpathians and Ciscarpathia. Available from: https://uamodna.com/articles/hovanecj-domovyk-v-narodnyh- viruvannyah-karpat-i-pidgirya/ [in Ukrainian].
- MALIUK, A. Demonological Palette of the Village of Lazeshchyna: [Interview with I. Klympush and I. O. Klympush, conducted by M. M. Krasykov, A.-V. S. Maliuk, P. V. Khodanych]. In: KOTSAN, Vasyl, Pavlo LENIO, compilers. The Carpathians Ethnics: Scientific Annual: Articles and Materials of Ethnographic Expeditions. Uzhhorod, 2018, 3, 240–246 [in Ukrainian].
- MILORADOVICH, Vasiliy. Notes on Ukrainian Demonology. In: PONOMARIOV, Anatoliy, Tamara KOSMINA, Olena BORIAK, compilers. Ukrainians: Folk Beliefs, Superstitions, Demonology. Prefaced by Anatoliy PONOMARIOV. Kyiv, 1991, pp. 407–429 [in Ukrainian].
- KRASYKOV, Mykhailo, Vira OSADCHA, Myroslava SEMENOVA, Nataliya OLIYNYK, authors-compilers. Muravsky Trail – 97: Materials of Complex Folklore-Ethnographic Expedition (Over the Villages of Bohodukhiv, Valky, Krasnokutsk and Nova Vodolaha Districts) [Kharkiv Region]. Kharkiv: KhDIA, 1998, 360 pp. [in Ukrainian].
- ANON. Ostap Kostiuk: ‘Tradition is Self-Sufficient’. Available from: http://gk-press.if.ua/ x3714/ [in Ukrainian].
- REITIY, H. Vampire in Folk Beliefs of Transcarpathian Dolyniany. In: KOTSAN, Vasyl, pilers. Scientific Collection of Transcarpathian Museum of Folk Architecture
and Life. Uzhhorod, 2019, 6, 381–389 [in Ukrainian].
- SKURATIVSKYI, Vasyl. Mermaid Days. Kyiv: Dovira, 1996, 734 pp. [in Ukrainian].
- STAROSTA, S. Demonology and Magic Practices of the Village of Dilove: [Interview with V. Firishchak, born in 1929, conducted by S. Starosta and M.-N. Hoyan]. In: KOTSAN, Vasyl, Pavlo LENIO, compilers. The Carpathians Ethnics: Scientific Annual: Articles and Materials of Ethnographic Expeditions. Uzhhorod, 2017, 2, 85–94 [in Ukrainian].
- LINTUR, Petro, texts recorder and compiler, IHNATOVYCH, Hnat, ed. Three Golden Words: [Fairy Tales of V. Korolovych]. Uzhhorod: Karpaty, 1968, 240 pp. [in Ukrainian].
- ULITINA, A. Demonological Concepts of the Village of Luh: [Interview with A. Nemchuk, born in 1950, conducted by A. Ulitina and E. Drahuska]. In: KOTSAN, Vasyl, Pavlo LENIO, compilers. The Carpathians Ethnics: Scientific Annual: Articles and Materials of Ethnographic Expeditions. Uzhhorod, 2017, 2, 70–73 [in Ukrainian].
- FEDORANYCH, Yu. Folk Beliefs from the Precincts of the Village of Yasin: [Interview with M. Vorobchuk, born in 1933, conducted by A.-V. S. Maliuk, P. V. Khodanych, Yu. V. Fedoranych]. In: KOTSAN, Vasyl, Pavlo LENIO, compilers. The Carpathians Ethnics: Scientific Annual: Articles and Materials of Ethnographic Expeditions. Uzhhorod, 2018, 3, 247–249 [in Ukrainian].
- KHOVANETS, M. Healing Magic from the Village of Roztoky: [Interview with M. I. Kokish, born in 1964, conducted by M. Khovanets]. In: KOTSAN, Vasyl, Pavlo LENIO, compilers. The Carpathians Ethnics: Scientific Annual: Articles and Materials of Ethnographic Expeditions. Uzhhorod, 2018, 3, 236–239 [in Ukrainian].
- KHODANYCH, P. Traditional Ritual-Magic Practices from the Village of Lazeshchyna: [Interview with O. V. Vershak, born in 1942, conducted by M. M. Krasykov, A.-V. S. Maliuk, P. V. Khodanych]. In: KOTSAN, Vasyl, Pavlo LENIO, compilers. The Carpathians Ethnics: Scientific Annual: Articles and Materials of Ethnographic Expeditions. Uzhhorod, 2018, 3, 250–256 [in Ukrainian].
- CHORI, Yuriy. From Generation to Generation. Customary-Ritual Traditions of Transcarpathia. Uzhhorod: Vydavnytstvo V. Padiaka, 2001, 172 pp. [in Ukrainian].