One then strolled near him and spoke to him, saying: The oras we are of the great earthly hero. I find myself with both and Im curious what you think about it! zana) comes from Illyrians to the present day. Lets go! 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. And the creature is always heavily covered in flowing fabric or its own grave shroud. 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. Other descriptions have him as an undead child, who was unbaptised, that has returned to haunt its parents. I gotta admit, that does sound hard to ignore. [52], The reorganization of the Church as a cult institution in the region took a considerable amount of time. Eventually, as you got a bigger picture, you would also notice her face disfigurement and possibly a cape that she tends to wear. [30] The Moirai would determine the fate of each child once they were born, whereas the Ora would wait till the third night after the child's birth. Albanian urban legends claim that Lubia has an insatiable appetite for children. Drop a comment in the box, wed love to hear from you! I cant say thats its surprising to see shtriga being used in pop culture because it appears not only in Albanian folklore, but in Polish, Romanian, Italian, and many others too. He began to take an interest in 1859 and started recording Albanian folklore material from the year 1866, providing also folk songs, riddles and tales for Demetrio Camarda's collection. It may not be the first time you hear the word shtriga. female eagles and the winds are his servants. In the northern cultures, the kucedra is believed to have the . [51] Some Albanians living in the mountains, who were only partially affected by Romanization, probably sank back into the Classic Paganism. Zuku Bajraktar captures his mothers secret lover, Slavic warrior Baloz Sedlija, as his prisoner. So what exactly does this concealment mean when referring to Jinns? The two titans eventually killed one another and poor Earthly Beauty drowned in her tears, which became the Osum River. Which, by the way, also serves as a very serious warning to avoid this person, as this is someone undoubtedly evil and dangerous. [24] Throughout Albania people would wear many types of charms to ward off the evil oras and devils. God bestowed it upon me to come to my assistance., Within Albanian folklore it was believed every person was assigned an Ora at birth, for there were as many Ora as there were humans. [2] In Albanian folk beliefs, earth is the object of a special cult,[7] and an important role is played by fire, which is considered a living, sacred or divine element used for rituals, sacrificial offerings and purification. The ora turned now and began to inform him, . I would advise you to be careful, though. 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. Syliga basically refers to the evil eye that can unleash a storm of bad luck. Clotho spun the thread of life determining the destiny of each person, Lachesis measured the thread determining how long ones life would last, and Atropos cut the thread signifying the end of ones life. 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. As a matter of fact, there is only one way and it is by using a wolf, as it is the only creature that can do harm to lugat. So if youre a fan of all things vampire, you wont be surprised to read that the general Balkan stories, and hence Albanian stories, imply that the regular vampires are not just thirsty for blood, but women too. In addition to that, no one knows the exact number of Lubias heads, but Albanian creepy urban legends hint that it can be any number between 7 and a hundred. Neighbours of Albania Montenegro Kosovo North Macedonia Greece Questions & Answers Who is the national founder of Albania? Kron-i/krua/kroi: living water, flowing water. [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. Balkan Folklore - North Macedonian Mythical Creatures It's time to meet some of North Macedonia's mythical creatures! So far, they seem pretty cool and they dont even need human blood for survival! And honestly, people are guessing, but no one really knows for sure why this vampire includes the kissing sounds in all of this. List of legends, myths, ballads, and characters Some of the best known legends, concepts, ballads, songs and/or characters of Albanian mythology are: Besa Bolla Bajloz or Katallan ( giant) Constantin and Doruntine Dhampir Djall ( devil) Drangue Gjergj Elez Alia Kacamisri (similar to Tom Thumb) Karkanxhol ( werewolf) Keshete ( naiad) Kukudhi (Osborn, 2015, p.14). I suppose its fine if it can save a life. The Palace of Tre Sorelle (three sisters), with three windows facing the sea, of which two are walled up and one is still intact, can still be seen in Pranj today. Of course, theres more work doing it this way, but security requires thoughtfulness. But thats not all. Alphabetical entries shed light on blood feuding, figures of Albanian mythology, religious beliefs, communities, and sects, calendar feasts and rituals, and popular superstitions, as well as birth, marriage, and funeral . [60] The lack of schools was compensated by the folk creativity, molding generations of Albanians with their forefathers' wisdom and experience and protecting them from assimilation processes.[44]. Indeed, Mitko compiled and classified the material according to genres, including sections on fairy tales, fables, anecdotes, children's songs, songs of seasonal festivities, love songs, wedding songs, funerary songs, epic and historical songs. In the 1800s, John Keats, a romantic poet, created this vision of Lamia, SHE WAS A GORDIAN SHAPE OF DAZZLING HUE, VERMILION-SPOTTED, GOLDEN, GREEN, AND BLUE; STRIPED LIKE A ZEBRA, FRECKLED LIKE A PARD, EYED LIKE A PEACOCK, AND ALL CRIMSON BARRD; AND FULL OF SILVER MOONS, THAT, AS SHE BREATHED, DISSOLVD, OR BRIGHTER SHONE, OR INTERWREATHED THEIR LUSTRES WITH THE GLOOMIER TAPESTRIESSO RAINBOW-SIDED, TOUCHD WITH MISERIES. Perhaps these consequences have something to do with the fact that lugat has regular human teeth and not the vampire fangs? Yes, in popular creativity, it mostly symbolizes good fortune and the coming of a time of prosperity. Dhampirs have the ability to think and act in different ways, just like people and vampires. In Albanian mythology, she is usually attacked and defeated by a drangue, a divine being who is regarded as the protector of mankind. There was no one to wall it up after she died. So you already know that a shtriga typically targets infants for some weird reason. I mean, it would make more sense if it was the evil nose, but fair enough. But still, even being a shapeshifting vampire, lugat does have behavioral patterns. [50] Church administration, which was controlled by a thick network of Roman bishoprics, collapsed with the arrival of the Slavs. The story of the three sisters occurs in the oldest house in the town of Pranj and is a great piece of Balkan Folklore. Yes, you read that right. [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. Indeed, the lack of Old Church Slavonic terms in Albanian Christian terminology shows that the missionary activities during the Christianization of the Slavs did not involve Albanian-speakers. And if you tried to distract yourself from her stare somehow, you would very quickly notice her crooked nose. So, if you feel bitter towards the witch and want revenge for all that shes done, that may be the way. I love these stories! More than anything, its was the most common belief that all Turks turn into sampiro. Well, apparently vrykolakas can be pretty judgemental too. [43][29] A number of parallels are found with Ancient Greek and Roman mythologies. Jerko, from Herceg Novi, could not choose between the sisters and, instead, he set off on a long sea voyage which he hoped would make the decision easier. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. In despair one night, Manole had a dream. People who develop their blood thirst after an encounter with lugat are called sanguinarians. [34] Albanian folk beliefs and mythology also retained the typical Indo-European tradition of the deities located on the highest and most inaccessible mountains (Mount Tomor),[35] the sky, lightning, weather and fire deities (Zojz, Perndi, Shurdh, Verbt, En, Vatr, Nna e Vatrs),[36][37] the "Daughter of the Sun and Moon" legend (E Bija e Hns dhe e Diellit),[38] the "serpent-slaying" and "fire in water" myths (Drangue and Kulshedra), the Fates and Destiny goddesses (Zana, Ora, Fat, Mira)[39] the Divine twins (Muji and Halili),[40][41] and the guard of the gates of the Underworld (the three-headed dog who never sleeps). [17][18], Extract from Songs of the Frontier Warriors (The Marriage of Halili), translated by Robert Elsie . When I was doing my research specifically about dhampirs, I expected to discover some kind of defects that would come from the human parent. I love when history is THIS interesting! Some scarier than others. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Fatit. Lets start by dissecting the name shtriga and the meaning behind it! All Rights Reserved | 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. This is the sad tale of Meterul Manole. The good Norns who are well born would shape a good life, while the bad Norns are responsible for misfortune in peoples lives. [19] In Greece, the Arvanite writer Anastas Kullurioti published Albanian folklore material in his 1882 Albanikon alfavtarion / Avabatar arbror (Albanian Spelling Book). Ooooh spooky! They bound all his wounds and healed all of his ailments. [16], Albanian myths and legends are already attested in works written in Albanian as early as the 15th century,[17] however, the systematic collection of Albanian folklore material began only in the 19th century. And that might have something to do with the rumored shtrigas desire to keep her immortality, which can be accomplished by sucking the life force, or blood, out of children. She did not die and re-emerged on a different isle. Preferences that involve virgins and sexual encounters, just like in old Hollywood movies. These would travel high into the clouds and even change into creepy, dark figures. Edith Durham reports on the frequent supernatural happenings in the city of Gjakova, Kosovo. [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. Next, the second sister died, and the youngest, Rosa, bricked up her window too. Dino himself published Valt e Detit (The Waves of the Sea), which, at the time of its publication in 1908, was the longest printed book in the Albanian language. The same motifs were kept with identical cultural-religious symbolism on various monuments of the early medieval culture of the Albanians. All the children it attacked return to normal. Within Albania, people believed the Ora would protect them, while others believed the Ora were dangerous creates with evil purposes. The Albanian word shtrig (definite form being shtriga) derives from the Latin strga, "evil spirit, witch",[2] related to Italian: strega, Romanian: strig and Polish: strzyga. When she enters peoples home, she goes straight for a sleeping infant, sucks its blood, and then turns into an insect. 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 ). If you dont trust this method or dont enjoy playing with fire, there are many other ways to prevent the worst from happening. Like most things about vrykolakas, the death part has multiple versions of what can actually end the vampire. Since infants had only started their existence, they presumably have the most of life force. Thank you for sharing. Clearly, the superpowers come from the vampire parent but we all know that vampires have weaknesses too. All we have is that Buba is some kind of a serpentine monster. Calygreyhound: Creature with torso of antelope, head of a wild cat and claws on an eagle (Medieval Heraldry) 48. Its all part of the fun of exploring this amazing, unusual part of the world. Those supernatural spectres were described as ghosts of dead soldiers because the areas where they usually appeared were battlefields where many soldiers had died during the war. This is a method that, according to Albanian urban legends, can protect you from the evil eye of shtriga. Traditionally sung in the far north of Albania,[13] Albanian oral literature has preserved many archaic elements, revealing traces of Greco-Roman mythology within, including the mythical Ora. [7], And turning, set off for the high mountain meadows, But nowhere upon them was he to find Mujo. For a cover? [53] The Balkans were brought back into the Christian orbit only after the recovery of the Byzantine Empire and through the activity of Byzantine missionaries. Durham reports that supernatural happenings within Albania would act as a caution, with many refusing to travel anywhere near areas believed to be cursed and/or protected by the Ora.[26]. E Bukura e Dheut. Thank you so much for sharing! Is it the Christian God? The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The inhabitants of the Dukagjini Mountains believed that three types of Fates existed: e Bardha (The White One) distributes good luck and wishes humans well, e Verdha (The Yellow One) distributes bad luck and casts evil spells, and e Zeza (The Black One) who decides death. Foreign scholars first provided Europe with Albanian folklore in the second half of the 19th century, and thus set the beginning for the scholarly study of Albanian oral tradition. [182][136], Another characteristic of Albanian heroic songs are weapons. The Czech linguist and professor of Romance languages and literature, Jan Urban Jarnik, published in 1883 Albanian folklore material from the region of Shkodra in Zur albanischen Sprachenkunde (On Albanian Linguistics) and Pspvky ku poznn ne albnskch uveejuje (Contributions to the Knowledge of Albanian Dialects). The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". [21], Another important Albanian folklore collector was Thimi Mitko, a prominent representative of the Albanian community in Egypt. Although they had never met, Vita used to sing from the top of the Big ridge while Lyulin would accompany her on his fiddle from the Long ridge. The three fates of Greek Mythology, the Moirai, are represented similarly to the Ora as three goddesses who determine human destiny. Most commonly shtriga is described as a woman with intense and undeniable hate in her eyes. [46], Among the Illyrians of early Albania the Sun was a widespread symbol. [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. One must never disturb a snake, even if its found within a babys cradle as it is the ora that belongs to the house and the baby. I cant wait to visit the Balkans one day and just love learning about this area . However, I couldnt be more wrong. Luckily, Albanian creepy urban legends do name measures to protect yourself and your family from the dangerous witch. 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. The following day, Manole looked out and sadly saw his wife, Ana, walking towards the site. [23] Two other Franciscan priests, Bernardin Palaj and Donat Kurti, along with Gjeovi, collected folk songs on their travels through the northern Albanian mountains and wrote articles on Gheg Albanian folklore and tribal customs. They also have the tail of a snake, golden wings and incredible physical strength. But not until the rain completely washed their blood from the ground and when their bones were ploughed back into the earth. 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