albanian mythology creatures
[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. Kron-i/krua/kroi: living water, flowing water. The stories surrounding lugat vary quite a bit, especially when it comes to how dangerous it can be. A shtriga (Albanian: shtrig) is a vampiric witch in Albanian mythology and folklore that sucks the blood of infants at night while they sleep, and then turns into a flying insect (traditionally a moth, fly or bee). Manole had to keep his promise and the beautiful monastery was built. She further recorded the story that after draining blood from a victim, the shtriga would generally go off into the woods and regurgitate it. On his journey he encounters an Ora who assists him and guides him towards Tanusha. Our favourite is a tale of two love struck shepherds Vita and Lyulin. On the other hand, some people strongly believe that shtriga can be killed when she is caughtfeeding. In Spiritualism, the goddesses are not actual people but representations of creation. The zana e malit is an Albanian mythological creature (Albanian: Zane or Zre in southern Albania) ("fairy of the mountain" in English), zana (as a definite noun), or zan (plural) of pre-Roman Paleo-Balkan origin. It isnt the murderous type, but it still hunts, it can shapeshift, and it can even leave you bloodthirsty. [5], In Albanian mythology, the physical phenomena, elements and objects are attributed to supernatural beings. But thats not all. Thanks Jenny. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. [4], With the birth of each child many Oras gather in the night towards the cliffs to decide upon the qualities that child would receive. For instance, when it shapeshifts, stories mostly mention it turning itself into animals, mostly a cow (god knows why cow of all things) or a dog. In Albania, Romania and Hungary, some people believe that if a snake lives long enough and is not seen by a human, it will eventually turn into a dragon. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. According to legends, dhampirs are the result of intimacy between a human and a vampire. [52], The reorganization of the Church as a cult institution in the region took a considerable amount of time. They catch men to eat and women to fan the flies away. albanian mythological creatures TikTok : GOSHI (@nitidaddy), user7153001266706(@ulqinarmarine), BaboBitter(@babobitter), GOSHI (@nitidaddy), Imp(@imperium_populorum . 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 cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". In the mountain side on the road to Prizren remains a cavern that travels miles underground - some say even beneath the Drin. They could then be captured and killed at the threshold as they vainly attempted to pass. Sebastian Franck: Albania: A Mighty Province of Europe", "Einheitlichkeit und Spaltung im Laufe des Christianisierungsprozesses der Albaner. The Ora ( Albanian: or, definite form: ora, pl. People who develop their blood thirst after an encounter with lugat are called sanguinarians. But going back specifically to the Albanian version of shtriga, there is one particular characteristic of shtriga that caught my attention. Here is our assortment of Balkan folklore and mythical beings. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Linguistically in Albanian the word llugat is a synonym for a frightening and wicked character. Perhaps the first thing about lugats physical appearance that stands out the most is that unlike its fellow vampires, it has regular human teeth and not vampire fangs. So you already know that a shtriga typically targets infants for some weird reason. In fact, it is said that women who submit to envy and for some reason dont bear children are the ones who turn into shtrigas. Anyway, whenever I talk about local boogeymen from different countries, I always add a reminder, so here goes. [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). [46], Among the Illyrians of early Albania the Sun was a widespread symbol. Albania is full of myths and legends about its beautiful landscape. Basically scaring them to listen to rules, or else the terrible boogeyman will show up. Miren, another name used for them, derives from the Greek Moirae . Welcome to the second country of creepy urban legends Albania! Albanian giants are as tall as pine trees, with black beards that reach to their knees. But her care and love for him was stronger than the storm, and she kept walking. But there are also those who have certainpreferences. They are often depicted spinning, measuring, and cutting thread, revealing their control over human life. There are no known explanations why, but one could assume that female vampires are either not attracted to mortals or simply do not possess a sexual appetite as vast as the males do. You wont be able to avoid it when you visit. The interesting part in the vampire habits and behavior is that according to Balkan creepy urban legends, male vampires are involved with mortal women much more often than female vampires are with male mortals. The mythological cycle of the deeds of Muyi reveal the Oras ability to provide the hero with supernatural powers and healing while in the form of a serpent. [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. Islams God? In fact, according to the local lore, Shtriga can cure her victims by spitting in their mouths. Mount Shpirag is marked with deep streams of water running down its face and lies across the valley. And its not afraid to show it. [2] [1] The kulshedra is believed to spit fire, cause drought, storms, flooding, earthquakes and other natural disasters against mankind. Usually, shtriga were described as old or middle-aged women with grey, pale green, or pale blue eyes (called white eyes or pale eyes) (Albanian: sybardha) and a crooked nose. In Albanian mythology, this dragon is called a Bolla. In these circumstances, she somehow becomes vulnerable and can be killed when shes shot with iron bullets. 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.". The elements of Albanian mythology are of ancient Paleo-Balkanic origin and almost all of them are pagan. However, others have viewed her differently. Speaking of spitting into someones mouth If you want to avoid that for your children, or any children, for that matter, youll be relieved to know that in some Albanian regions its common to say mashaallah to children and babies while also touching their noses. [4], In Catholic legend, it is said that shtriga can be destroyed using holy water with a cross in it,[5] and in Islamic myth it is said that shtriga can be sent away or killed by reciting verses from the Qur'an, specifically Ayatul Kursi 255 sura Al-Baqara, and spitting water on the shtriga. Most believe he is visible only at night, especially during thetwelve days of Christmasand in the earlyspring. [6], In an Albanian tale published by Post Wheeler with the title The Girl who took a Snake for a Husband, the Shtriga appears as "the grandmother of all witches" that lives in the Underworld, a place of a red sun, a green sky and black trees.[7]. One then strolled near him and spoke to him, saying: The oras we are of the great earthly hero. [22], The first Albanian folklorist to collect the oral tradition in a more systematic manner for scholarly purposes was the Franciscan priest and scholar Shtjefn Gjeovi. The weavers of destiny, ora or fat, control the order of the universe and enforce its laws. This person must be loved either by him or by one of his masons. Lets go! Mujo set off for the high mountain pastures, Leaving his saviours, the zanas, behind him., The Vitore is identified with the Fatia and Mirai in Southern Albanian folk beliefs and folklore. Danish Indo-Europeanist and professor at the University of Copenhagen, Holger Pedersen, visited Albania in 1893 to learn the language and to gather linguistic material. Lexicon of Albanian Mythology: Areal Studies in the Polylingual Region of Azov Sea. Believe in God and youre protected! : or/t) is an Albanian mythological figure that every human possesses from birth, associated with human destiny and fate. After that, all youll need to do is throw the salt into direct flames while also saying syt i dalin syt i plain. InEastern Serbia,the Drekavac has been described in the form of a humanoid canine creature that walks on its back legs. [183], List of folk tales, legends, songs and ballads, Academy of Albanological Studies of Tirana, Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, The Youth and the Maiden with Stars on their Foreheads and Crescents on their Breasts, "1534. A shtriga was featured in the Supernatural episode, "Something Wicked", wherein it attacked children, causing them to become comatose; it then disguised itself as a doctor so it could continue to feed upon them. A cross made of pig bone could be placed at the entrance of a church on Easter Sunday, rendering any shtriga inside unable to leave. He is accompanied by two. Naturally, every country has its own version of the word, though its easy to tell that they are referring to the same creature. In despair one night, Manole had a dream. She is a female demon who comes to you at night, in many forms, to give you nightmares and terrify you. During the day, Earthly Beauty spends time with her sister, Sea Beauty, and in the evening the wind returns her to Baba Tomorri. Jubani's own first collection of folklorethe original Albanian texts of the folk songs published by Hcquardwas lost in the flood that devastated the city of Shkodra on 13 January 1866. If you watch South Park, you may feel a deja vu as you read the part with the nickname, as Cartman from South Park has assigned this exact nickname to people with red hair who can walk in the sunlight without being scared of its effects on them. This is really interesting! Many of the characters of the Albanian mythology are included in the Albanian Songs of the Frontier Warriors ( Albanian : Kng Kreshniksh or Cikli i Kreshnikve ), the traditional cycle of Albanian epic songs. Category:Albanian legendary creatures Help Pages in category "Albanian legendary creatures" The following 16 pages are in this category, out of 16 total. In particular an important role was played by the Theme of Dyrrhachium and the Archdiocese of Ohrid. Kee-wakw: Cannibalistic Giant half-human and half-animal (Abenaki Mythology) 46. Not that you should suspect your yoga instructor and professional dancers of being dhampirs, but still an interesting thought. The reason why I wouldnt exclude her from the vampire category is that a shtriga is depicted as a blood-sucking witch in Albanian folklore. Can you see that Ora, standing at my bedside? The eldest sister died first so the other two bricked up her sea facing window. As a matter of fact, even today many Albanians point their fingers at shtriga whenever theres untimely infant death. [2], Extract from Songs of the Frontier Warriors (Mujos Oras), translated by Robert Elsie [6], As Slavic Warrior Paji Harambashi searches for Mujo within the mountain ranges, he encounters three snow-white Oras Mujos protectors. Giving him back all his might and his power. In addition to that, for an unknown reason, sampiro also wears high heels and is therefore swaying as it walks. This next creature can, in some way, count as a vampire, although its best-known as a witch. [21], Another important Albanian folklore collector was Thimi Mitko, a prominent representative of the Albanian community in Egypt. Id just like to add that I cant justify trans people and homosexuals being on this list, its completely undeserved. [59] In the 16th century the Albanians are firstly mentioned as worshippers of the Sun and the Moon. Also according to Church documents, the territories that coincide with the present-day Albanian-speaking compact area had remained under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome and used Latin as official language at least until the first half of the 8th century. E Bukura e Dheut - Earthly Beauty; Beauty of the Earth E Bukura e Dheut, Queen of Albania's Fairies, rules . [2] Albert Doja refers to the studies of Maximilian Lambertz, revealing that the faces of the Oras change depending on the degree of happiness they bestow upon the newborn child. The Balkan region is home to many captivating legends and mythical creatures. Zanas are depicted as mountain fairies, and similarly to the Ora, live near springs within the highlands of Northern Albania. The Shtriga appears in the Legends of Tomorrow episode "Wet Hot American Bummer." Doesnt it want to be unnoticed? [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. Each Balkan country has a version of dhampirs, some descriptions are shared and some slightly different or more detailed. I wont deep into their history, but what you need to know for context is that many Albians viewed, and even now many see the Turks as invaders who forced their language and religion on Albanians. They usually live in hidden places in the forest and have supernatural powers. Whenever vrykolakas saw people going to a church, it would loudly and openly mock the people of faith and on some occasions even throw rocks at them to emphasize his disapproval. Zuku, taunted and captured is blinded by his mother. But even if you do come across an evil dhampir, there is a bright side legends tell us that its possible to identify dhampirs as such. The defense against Night Hags is to close all keyholes to stop them from entering the room. In addition to that, the word Dhampir itself has a few slightly different ways to be spelled such as dhamphir and dhampyr. He hired Master Manole and nine of his men for the job. If you were killed by a vampire or even ate the meat of an animal that wasnt properly slaughtered, or it was killed accidentally You guessed, these things make you a vampire too. Syliga basically refers to the evil eye that can unleash a storm of bad luck. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. B Baloz Bardha D Dhampir Div (mythology) Drangue E E Bija e Hns dhe e Diellit F Fatia K Kukudh Kulshedra L Ljubi O Ora (mythology) P Perria S It doesnt take one to be a wolf expert to know that a wolf is a wild and free animal that doesnt take orders from humans, so youll probably need to think of an indirect way to complete your mission. She did not die and re-emerged on a different isle. Her favorite target is infants and she typically hunts during the night when infants (and their parents, for that matter) are sleeping. They bound all his wounds and healed all of his ailments. Having said that, she is also known to be a bloodthirsty baddy who slithers through the night, searching for children to consume. Nov 14, 2017 - Explore Margarett Bridge's board "Albanian Mythology" on Pinterest. Albanian folk tales were first recorded in the middle of the nineteenth century by European scholars such as Johann Georg von Hahn, the Austrian consul in Janina (Ioannina), Karl H. Reinhold and Giuseppe Pitr. The forest and have supernatural powers the salt into direct flames while also saying syt dalin! To their knees spitting in their mouths places in the category ``.! Its best-known as a matter of fact, even today many Albanians point their fingers at shtriga whenever theres infant. With iron bullets as they vainly attempted to pass blinded by his.... Balkan region is home to many captivating legends and mythical creatures use this website figure every. 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Taunted and captured is blinded by his mother fact, even today many Albanians point their fingers shtriga! To add that I cant justify trans people and homosexuals being on this list, its completely undeserved was than... That help us analyze and understand how you use this website derives from the vampire is... And lies across the valley other two bricked up her Sea facing window also use third-party that. While also saying syt I plain itself has a few slightly different ways be! Considerable amount of time into direct flames while also saying syt I..
