« 2017. #6 (138)

The Ethnology Notebooks. 2017, 6 (138), 1336—1342

UDK 398.341 (= 161.2)

DOI https://doi.org/10.15407/nz2017.06.1336

Received 21.11.2017

BUILDER IN DEMONOLOGICAL BELIEFS OF VOLYN REGION INHABITANTS

Siletskyi Roman Bronislavovich, PHD in History, professor,

Head of the Department of Ethnology

of the Ivan Franko National University in Lviv

Universytetska Str. 1, Lviv, 79000, Ukraine

Contacts: Tel. (032) 2394540; e-mail: kaf.etnolog.lnu@gmail.com

Abstract. Basing on field ethnographic materials, recorded by the author in Volyn region at the beginning of the XXI century, was considered the figure of the master builder as a demonological cha­racter. Most clearly the demonological characteristics of the master­builder («neprostoho») are manifested in the process of housing construction, particularly, at the time of its foundation. According to the widespread prejudice about the danger of the beginning of construction (due to archaic ideas), the master, in order to distract himself from the danger, was supposed to build the house on «someone’s head». Due to his supernatural «ma­gic» actions during the construction depended on the future of life, health and well­being of the inhabitants of the new home.

 Keywords: demonology, building rituals, Volyn regіon, customs, rites, beliefs.

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