O štrigama, štrigunima i krsnicima u Istri
On Štrige, Štriguni and Krsnici on Istrian Peninsula

Summary/Abstract: This paper presents ethnographic material collected during recent field research on Istrian peninsula in the period from 2000 to 2005. Štrige, štriguni and krsnici can be anthropologically analyzed in different ways. They can be observed as parts of traditional medical practice, since štrige and krsnici can heal people and cattle. Stories of štrige and other mythical creatures also form a part of oral traditional literature. And thirdly, štrige, štriguni and krsnici are mythical creatures linked to pre-Christian, pagan times, before Croats accepted Christianity. They are traces of memory of the mythical battle between sunny, celestial, thunder god Perun, and the giant snake from the underworld, coming from the dark part of the year. This battle is continual since the beginning of time, and every time the snake abandons its place and starts its journey upwards, up the hill, Perun strikes it with his stone lightning and sends it back deep into the water, where it belongs. This is the eternal battle between good and evil, Perun and Veles, krsnik and štriga.

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