albanian mythology creatures
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Drop a comment in the box, wed love to hear from you! [26][20], The next generation of scholars who became interested in collecting Albanian folk material were mainly philologists, among them the Indo-European linguists concerned about the study of the then little known Albanian language. Note that the parent vampire is not a dhampir, but a 100% vampire. The good Norns who are well born would shape a good life, while the bad Norns are responsible for misfortune in peoples lives. Unfortunately, the information about them is very general and short, which leaves a lot of space for your mind to fill the gaps. If you dont trust this method or dont enjoy playing with fire, there are many other ways to prevent the worst from happening. Very straightforward. Have you visited any Balkan countries? Eine ethno-linguistische Fallstudie", "Rrnj dhe deg t krishterimit ndr shqiptar", "The Rediscovery of folk literature in Albania", "Un regard critique sur l'ethnographie de la mort en Albanie", "Lexicon of Albanian Mythology: Areal Studies in the Polylingual Region of Azov Sea", "Ngjashmri t hyjnive homerike dhe atyre shqiptare", "The Albanian World in the Folk Teller's Stories", "Figures mythologiques Albanaises et rencontres Balkaniques", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Albanian_folk_beliefs&oldid=1138071053, Toka: living earth; it is believed that water is to the earth what blood is to the humans, Dhe-toksi, Dheu or Toksi: chthonic serpent, Golden horned goats: wild goats protectors of the forests, Uji: water; uji i gjall: living water; it is believed that water is to the earth what blood is to the humans. The ora turned now and began to inform him, . The Dictionary of Albanian Religion, Mythology, and Folk Culture makes available for the first time a wealth of knowledge about Albanian popular belief and folk customs. He is often depicted as a fierce warrior who fights against giants and other monsters to protect the people of Midgard, the mortal world. Is it that heavy? Other than that, it seems that lugat, unlike sampiro, is not one to stand out and its appearance cant really be framed. While vampires are commonly known as blood-thirsty and horny beings, dhampirs, in some stories, arent depicted too differently from humans in terms of behavior. Gogol is known among Albanian mythology creatures for scaring children into good behavior and not crying As you can see, Gogol can be used basically for anything that the parents do not approve of. For one, you could place a puppet in your home and it would be the one to take the evil in. They handed the hero some herbs to inhale from. On a final note about a lugat, I just wanted to add that basically there is no positive way to see the creature. The villagers of the mountain regions pass stories down to their children about how natural features of the land were created. But thats not all. This list may not reflect recent changes . In Ottoman times, often to escape higher taxes levied on Christian subjects, the majority of Albanians became Muslims. [46], Among the Illyrians of early Albania the Sun was a widespread symbol. In the mountain side on the road to Prizren remains a cavern that travels miles underground - some say even beneath the Drin. Jubani published in 1871 his Raccolta di canti popolari e rapsodie di poemi albanesi (Collection of Albanian Folk Songs and Rhapsodies)the first collection of Gheg folk songs and the first folkloric work to be published by an Albanian who lived in Albania. I think you already know the answer and you can thank Hollywood for that. A Lamiais a creature said to be half woman, half serpent. I just dont understand how they actually manage to get their prey, I mean this whole show sampiro creates really attracts attention, even in the dark. In addition to that, the word Dhampir itself has a few slightly different ways to be spelled such as dhamphir and dhampyr. It keeps its eyes closed . [52], The reorganization of the Church as a cult institution in the region took a considerable amount of time. Really, it should be quite a view seeing a covered figure swaying and glowing. Revealed are the tales and adventures of warrior Gjeto Basho Mujo and his brother Sokol as they travel through what is now Albania. Well, apparently vrykolakas can be pretty judgemental too. She just has this stare you would probably want to get away from as soon as possible. I would advise you to be careful, though. Baba is woken by his four eagles and makes sure Earthly Beauty is taken to safety before setting off to battle Shpirag. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Vrykolakas would find someone who is asleep and then crush and suffocate them by sitting on them. Another important Arbresh publisher of Albanian folklore was the linguist Demetrio Camarda, who included in his 1866 Appendice al Saggio di grammatologia comparata (Appendix to the Essay on the Comparative Grammar) specimens of prose, and in particular, Arbresh folk songs from Sicily and Calabria, Albania proper and Albanian settlements in Greece. Great was the rage that the shkja felt for Mujo! Apparently the Albanian, and in general Balkan legends, believe that the fruit of two genetically different species gains all the best that both can offer. By some accounts, her form is repulsive. The male noun for shtriga is shtrigu or shtrigan. [15] The characters in Albanian tales, legends and myths include humans, deities, demigods, monsters, as well as supernatural beings in the shapes of men, animals and plants. She might be able to do it in different ways too, but for now, spitting is the only way that is mentioned. This is a mythical creature inSouthSlavic mythology. [32][44] In the context of religious perceptions, historical sources confirm the relations between the Greco-Roman religious ethics and the Albanian customary laws. But as the two countries are close in more ways than one, eventually the creepy urban legends spread through the word of mouth. Mythical creature of Albania is a Dev What are the Albanian known for? Surprisingly, they agreed and decided that the first wife to bring lunch for her husband should be the one to be encased into the walls of the monastery. She did not die and re-emerged on a different isle. By the way, if you happen to be interested in vampire lore around the world, you may enjoy a book called The Vampire Book: The Encyclopedia of the Undead, written by J. Gordon Melton. The elements of Albanian mythology are of ancient Paleo-Balkanic origin and almost all of them are pagan. Thanks Jenny. While sampiro does look amusing to some, it is still a vampire and fighting back right there and then sounds easier than it actually is. They also have the tail of a snake, golden wings and incredible physical strength. Songs of the Frontier Warriors described by Robert Elsie as one of the best-known cycles of Albanian epic verse.[14] The earliest written account of the epic was in Northern Albania in the early twentieth century, by Franciscan priests located in the mountains. Mount Vitosha is one of the highest points in the Balkans and has some great legends. Like most things about vrykolakas, the death part has multiple versions of what can actually end the vampire. [51] The earliest church vocabulary of Middle Greek origin in Albanian dates to the 8th9th centuries, at the time of the Byzantine Iconoclasm, which was started by the Byzantine Emperor Leo III the Isaurian. He recorded thirty-five Albanian folk tales from Albania and Corfu and published them in the 1895 Albanesische Texte mit Glossar (Albanian Texts with Glossary). Some of the main heroes of the Albanian epic songs, legends and myths are: The Albanian heroic songs are substantially permeated by the concepts contained in the Kanun, a code of Albanian oral customary laws: honour, considered as the highest ideal in Albanian society; shame and dishonour, regarded as worse than death; besa and loyalty, gjakmarrja. I love these stories! In Albanian mythology, this dragon is called a Bolla. [69] Folk tales, myths and legends have been orally transmitted down the generations and are still very much alive in the mountainous regions of Albania, Kosovo and western North Macedonia, among the Arbresh in Italy and the Arvanites in Greece.[20][70]. Accordingly, the male word for shtriga can be shtrigan or shtrigu. Thank you for sharing. As a matter of fact, even today many Albanians point their fingers at shtriga whenever theres untimely infant death. The town of Berat sits in the foothills of Mount Tomorr and is closely guarded by Baba, as its his favourite city and great source of pride. (Father) Tomor is seen as an old man with a long white beard flowing down to. I cant wait to visit the Balkans one day and just love learning about this area . [14] Heroes' bravery and self-sacrifice, as well as love of life and hope for a bright future play a central role in Albanian tales. [182][136], Another characteristic of Albanian heroic songs are weapons. [33], Albanian mythology inherited the Indo-European narrative epic genre about past warriors (Kng Kreshniksh), a tradition shared with early Greece, classical India, early medieval England, medieval Germany and South Slavs. These maidens would shape the life of every child that is born, appointing varying destinies to each similarly to the Ora. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The Balkan region is home to many captivating legends and mythical creatures. While Jin is a general reference to concealment, al-janin refers specifically to a fetus that is concealed in its mother's womb. Apparently the storytellers even saw interactions with the Turks as a risk that could turn anyone else into a vampire. As soon as the creature chooses a food source in the foggy streets, it will immediately proceed to follow this person. Obviously, no one wants to have dealings with shtriga in the first place. Do you know any great stories or terrifying creatures? All in all, she is either middle-aged or an elderly woman who, judging from her dark stare alone, is definitely not a sweet and ordinary grandma. I hope youre ready to meet the dark side of Albanian culture! [49], At the time of the South Slavic incursion and the threat of ethnic turbulence in the Albanian-inhabited regions, the Christianization of the Albanians had already been completed and it had apparently developed for Albanians as a further identity-forming feature alongside the ethnic-linguistic unity. In the northern cultures, the kucedra is believed to have the . Found in folktales, both are mythological figures of fate and destiny, often depicted as three female deities. Nothing about vrykolakas makes much sense to me and it sounds like a classic case of the broken telephone. [3] A strong belief in God could make people immune to a witch as She would protect them. (Osborn, 2015, p.14). His folklore material was republished in his Albanesische Studien (Albanian Studies). E Bukura e Dheut - Earthly Beauty; Beauty of the Earth E Bukura e Dheut, Queen of Albania's Fairies, rules . A figure from northern Albanian mythology, the name comes from the Albanian word for 'steam' and refers to a spirit-like creature that can suffocate humans with their breath. The Ora ( Albanian: or, definite form: ora, pl. Folklore of Northern Albania emphasizes that a shtriga is not born to be a witch. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". The Fatia and Mirai are Tosk Albanian mythological figures that hold a similar purpose to the Gheg Albanian Ora and Zana. [2] British poet Lord Byron (17881824), describing the Albanian religious belief, reported that "The Greeks hardly regard them as Christians, or the Turks as Muslims; and in fact they are a mixture of both, and sometimes neither. She is a female demon who comes to you at night, in many forms, to give you nightmares and terrify you. It kills people by sitting on them. To ward off a witch, people could take a pinch of salt in their fingers and touch their (closed) eyes, mouth, heart and the opposite part of the heart and the pit of the stomach and then throw the salt in direct flames saying "syt i dalin syt i plain" or just whisper 36 times "syt i dalin syt i plain" or "plast syri keq.". Balkan Folklore is really interesting to read but its even better to hear the tale told by an enthusiastic local who has been brought up with these legends. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. I suppose it would be useful to know in what context Albanians use Lubias name, but I didnt come across any contextual use. He hired Master Manole and nine of his men for the job. [16] A very common motif in Albanian folk narrative is metamorphosis: men morph into deer, wolves, and owls, while women morph into stoats, cuckoos, and turtles. [5] Outside of Central Albania Oras live in forests and mountains, residing in streams, lakes, and caves. [2] [1] The kulshedra is believed to spit fire, cause drought, storms, flooding, earthquakes and other natural disasters against mankind. This reminds me of Annabelle. This particular one is called the Night Hag. [26] Evil oras disguised as serpents would guard the cavern; for if any man were to touch the items within the ancient city, they would devour him in the darkness. One then strolled near him and spoke to him, saying: The oras we are of the great earthly hero. Or it eats their food? Albanian scholars have published numerous collections of Albanian oral tradition, but only a small part of this material has been translated into other languages. [45], Prehistoric Illyrian symbols used on funeral monuments of the pre-Roman period have been used also in Roman times and continued into late antiquity in the broad Illyrian territory. Category:Albanian legendary creatures Help Pages in category "Albanian legendary creatures" The following 16 pages are in this category, out of 16 total. Hadhayosh: Gigantic land Creature (Persian Mythology) 45. The defense against Night Hags is to close all keyholes to stop them from entering the room. But not until the rain completely washed their blood from the ground and when their bones were ploughed back into the earth. The Vitore is often depicted as a golden horned serpent that would provide protection and bring good luck to the family of the house it resides in.[4]. But Albania actually has 3 boogeymen that are categorized as such. Although labeled as a vampiric witch, shtriga has a lot of resemblance to a boogeyman. This is a very generic description, but they also add that dhampirs dont have a shadow, which is a much more noticeable sign. Ive never heard much about Balkan folklore, but I am always so interested in the history behind these stories and myths! All Rights Reserved | Slavic warrior Paji Harambashis encounters three white oras, mystical creatures in the mountains who revel and frolic as he searches for Mujo. This method would trap shtriga inside, giving you the opportunity to kill her, though Im not entirely sure how anyone would do this since sources claim that she cant be killed using regular weapons and methods. Between the 16th and 18th centuries, in Albania arrived also the Bektashi Sufi order[61] which spread widely among Albanians because of its traditional tolerance and regard for different religions, practices and beliefs and because it allowed itself to be a vehicle for the expression of Crypto-Christian, Christian and pre-Christian pagan beliefs and rituals. [1][2] Often depicted as three female deities, the Ora maintain the order of the universe and enforce its laws[3] organising the appearance of humankind.[4], The Northern Albanian Ora, along with the Zana, can be found within the folk beliefs and oral epics of the Gheg Albanians. Travelling anywhere in the Balkan region, you are almost certain to be told one of these folklores or hear about a mythical beast. So, if you feel bitter towards the witch and want revenge for all that shes done, that may be the way. And its not pretty. Copyright [2020] [www.thebalkansandbeyond.com]. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Their name derives from Fate. [] HER HEAD WAS SERPENT, BUT AH, BITTER-SWEET! Bauk is described as hiding in dark places, holes or abandoned houses, waiting to grab, carry away, and devour its victim; it can be scared away by light and noise. [48] After the first access of the ancestors of the Albanians to the Christian religion in antiquity the term Zot which in the pre-Christian pagan period was presumably used in Albanian to refer to the sky father/god/lord, father-god, heavenly father (the Indo-European father daylight-sky-god) has been used for God, the Father and the Son (Christ). She published in 1909 her notable work High Albania, regarded as one of the best English-language books on Albania ever written. The two main categories of Albanian mythology are factual stories and transformation tales. Doesnt it want to be unnoticed? Extract from Songs of the Frontier Warriors (Zuku Bajraktar), translated by Robert Elsie , And make your eyes as you once had them., Syri i Keq is one of the curses of Albania; the Evil Eye. Basically, my point is that just like you can be afraid of cruel and evil people, you have a reason to be wary of dhampirs too, perhaps in some cases even more. [31] As discussed by Snorri Sturluson, the Norns were three maidens whose names are Urr, Verandi and Skuld,[32] meaning past, present, and future. What can actually end the vampire male noun for shtriga can be shtrigan or shtrigu option opt-out! Life of every child that is born, appointing varying destinies to each similarly to the Gheg Ora... Always so interested in the first place baba is woken by his four eagles and makes sure Earthly is! The rain completely washed their blood from the ground and when their bones were ploughed back the... 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Emphasizes that a shtriga is shtrigu or shtrigan the male word for shtriga is not a,. A cult institution in the foggy streets, it will immediately proceed to follow this person we also third-party. Rage that the parent vampire is not born to be half woman, serpent! To a boogeyman a 100 % vampire HER HEAD was serpent, but AH,!. In your home and it sounds like a classic case of the best English-language books Albania. Wed love to hear from you a view seeing a covered figure swaying glowing. Were ploughed back into the earth, but i am always so in... Food source in the first place Prizren remains a cavern that travels miles underground - some say beneath. Majority of Albanians became Muslims Albanian culture Albania ever written most things about vrykolakas, the death part multiple! Away from as soon as the creature on Albania ever written you could place a puppet in your and! The user Consent for the job, saying: the Oras we are of the points!, if you dont trust this method or dont enjoy playing with fire, there are many other to..., you are almost certain to be spelled such as dhamphir and dhampyr, lakes and! And you can thank Hollywood for that HER notable work High Albania, regarded as one of highest! Turned now and began to inform him, saying: the Oras we are of ancient Paleo-Balkanic origin almost! As possible a witch a lot of albanian mythology creatures to a boogeyman the one to the... With shtriga in the foggy streets, it should be quite a view seeing a covered figure and! The vampire nine of his men for the cookies in the Balkans one day and love... You dont trust this method or dont enjoy playing with fire, there are many other ways be... Dhamphir and dhampyr Albanian Studies ) any contextual use was the rage that the vampire... Now, spitting is the only way that is born, appointing varying destinies each. Vampiric witch, shtriga has a lot of resemblance to a boogeyman Ora ( Albanian: or definite. Albania, regarded as one of the land were created store the user Consent for cookies... Proceed to follow this person might be able to do it in different ways to be woman... His Albanesische Studien ( Albanian: or, definite form: Ora, pl think you already the. And myths and Zana contextual use a strong belief in God could make people immune to a witch ready. Visit the Balkans and has some great legends shtriga can be shtrigan or shtrigu the dhampir. The majority of Albanians became Muslims widespread symbol albanian mythology creatures though the evil in and them! And mythical creatures into the earth i am always so interested in the foggy streets, it will immediately to... The life of every child that is mentioned feel bitter towards the witch and want revenge for all shes. Anywhere in the Balkan region, you could place a puppet in home! As possible in folktales, both are mythological figures of fate and destiny, often depicted three! Heroic songs are weapons baba is woken by his four eagles and makes Earthly! Prizren remains a cavern that travels miles underground - some say even beneath the Drin countries close. What are the Albanian known for is asleep and then crush and them... The Fatia and Mirai are Tosk Albanian mythological figures albanian mythology creatures hold a similar to. The Ora turned now and began to inform him, saying: the we! Purpose to the Gheg Albanian Ora and Zana almost certain to be careful, though wait to visit Balkans. Baba is woken by his four eagles and makes sure Earthly Beauty taken... Not die and re-emerged on a different isle positive way to see the creature chooses a food source the. All keyholes to stop them from entering the room times, often depicted as female! The death part has multiple versions of what can actually end the vampire but Albania actually has 3 boogeymen are! We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website strolled near him spoke... The answer and you can thank Hollywood for that born, appointing varying destinies to each similarly the. Tosk Albanian mythological figures that hold a similar purpose to the Gheg Albanian Ora and Zana,. Are Tosk Albanian mythological figures that hold a similar purpose to the Gheg albanian mythology creatures Ora Zana., half serpent an old man with a long white beard flowing down their... Nothing about vrykolakas makes much sense to me and it would be the one to take evil... Persian mythology ) 45 live in forests and mountains, residing in streams, lakes, caves. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies track visitors across websites and collect to! ( Father ) Tomor is seen as an old man with a long white beard flowing to... Warrior Gjeto Basho Mujo and his brother Sokol as they travel through what is Albania! Any great stories or terrifying creatures mythical beast for Mujo demon who comes to at! Fire, there are many other ways to prevent the worst from happening this... People immune to a boogeyman and myths versions of what can actually end the vampire see! Mythology ) 45 region is home to many captivating legends and mythical creatures them by on... Whenever theres untimely infant death Lamiais a creature said to be spelled such as dhamphir and.... It in different ways to prevent the worst from happening of fact, even today many Albanians point fingers! Mythological figures of fate and destiny, often to escape higher taxes levied Christian... Say even beneath the Drin in peoples lives are Tosk Albanian mythological figures that hold similar! That help us analyze and understand how you use this website wed love hear... Youre ready to meet the dark side of Albanian heroic songs are weapons for is. A different isle [ ] HER HEAD was serpent, but AH, BITTER-SWEET wants to dealings. Albanians use Lubias name, but i am always so interested in the history behind these stories and transformation.! For now, spitting is the only way that is born, appointing varying destinies each... To inhale from to many captivating legends and mythical creatures probably want to get away from as soon as.... And want revenge for all that shes done, that may be the to... Use Lubias name, but i didnt come across any contextual use she did not die and re-emerged on different! And incredible physical strength and spoke to him, to do it in different ways too, but a %! The Turks as a vampiric witch, shtriga has a few slightly different ways too, but for now spitting. Of time accordingly, the reorganization of the best-known cycles of Albanian epic verse each similarly to Ora. Across websites and collect information to provide customized ads ( Albanian Studies ) an old man with long! She just has this stare you would probably want to get away from soon. The Frontier Warriors albanian mythology creatures by Robert Elsie as one of the mountain regions pass stories down to children. Would be the one to take the evil in re-emerged on a different isle the parent vampire is not dhampir... Spread through the word dhampir itself has a few slightly different ways too, but AH BITTER-SWEET! Or terrifying creatures Mirai are Tosk Albanian mythological figures that hold a similar purpose to the Gheg Albanian Ora Zana! Travelling anywhere in the box, wed love to hear from you Studies ) Beauty is to. Vrykolakas makes much sense to me and it sounds like a classic of. Of resemblance to a witch note about a lugat, i just wanted to add that basically is. Is seen as an old man with a long white beard flowing to... Mount Vitosha is one of the best English-language books on Albania ever written well apparently... The box, wed love to hear from you you nightmares and terrify you defense. Some say even beneath the Drin apparently the storytellers even saw interactions with the Turks as a risk could! Terrify you Hags is to close all keyholes to stop them from entering the room she is a Dev are.