Кральо-портальо – една детска игра?
Kralyo Portalyo – Just a Child’s Game?

Summary/Abstract: The object of analysis in this work is a child’s game which is widely spread throughout Europe. Special consideration is given to the variants of the game which include the following moments: two players form a double bridge /gate with their raised arms; the other participants go beneath the raised arms while holding on to each other’s clothes or waist; one by one the players are held back and are required to say one of the passwords suggested by the players forming the bridge /gate; the game ends with a tug-of-war between the two teams. Based on a detailed analysis of the playing of the game, as well as on some peculiarities of the texts related to it, a conclusion can be reached that this type of game is a successor of the ritual combat, typically performed during season change or in the beginning of the New Year.

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