Shatans [1] ( Belorussian . Shatans ) - Belarusian mythological characters described by Nikolai Nikiforovsky in the work “ Scum. A collection of common folk tales about evil spirits in Vitebsk Belarus . ” In the academic five-volume Slavic Antiquities these characters are not mentioned. In the " Mythological Dictionary " the word "shatan" is given as a synonym for Satan .
Content
Description
Shatans, according to N. Nikiforovsky, are neutral characters who are not evil, but are not famous for good deeds. They act as symbols of idleness ( Belorussian. Gultaism ), callousness and importunity. In Belarusian mythology, Shatans are known as creatures leading a completely stupid and useless way of life. There is no benefit from these creatures. Shatans can wander aimlessly all day on roads, fields, forests, without doing anything useful [2] .
Lifestyle
These creatures are very sticky and constantly distract others from work. Shatans can cling to a person and persuade him to the same senseless reel.
Belarusian folklore says that evil mythological characters (for example, the Witch ) tease the Shatans. Since the Shatans are also cowardly creatures, they hide or flee from their offenders. It happens that the Shatans die from pranks and attacks of evil spirits and creatures.
When the Shatans get tired of constant walking, they sometimes weave bast shoes and make themselves canes . The bast shoes are quickly erased, and the canes break from the constantly useless reeling.
Shatans have bad characters. Shatans do not communicate with each other and in case of trouble they do not come to each other's help [3] .
See also
- Sinister
Notes
- ↑ Charonny sveta: z belaruskіkh mіfaў, padannyaў i cossack / red. G.P. Pashkoў; mast. V.P. Slavuk - Minsk: Belarus. Encekl. Name P. Brokki, 2008 (403)
- ↑ Nikiforovsky N. Ya. Non-cleaners: Code of common folk tales about evil spirits in Vitebsk Belarus - Vilna, 1907 (482: p. 57–59)
- ↑ Dougher-in-law ў demolish: Belarusian folk dances and paver'і / Ukladanne, pradmova, first-aid and pacazalnich U. Vasilevicha. - Minsk: Belarus, 2010 (449)
Literature
- Nikiforovsky N. Ya. Shatany // Uncleans: Code of common folk tales of evil spirits in Vitebsk Belarus . - Vilna: N. Matz and Co., 1907. - S. 39-40.