Народная магия в повседневности сельских жителей (на примере нескольких сел Гайновского повета на фоне восточного славянства)
Folk magic in the daily life of the rural population: on the example of several villages in Hajnówka district in the east slavic context

Summary/Abstract: The objective of this article is an attempt to describe the magical acts practised in the popular beliefs, superstitions and customs of selected villages in Hajnówka district. Magic played a tremendous role in the folk culture. It was present in almost all moments of life. Therefore, a number of prohibitions and precepts prevented its inappropriate use. Some people used magic as a “tool” to cause suffering, sorrow and even death. Consequently, it appeared in many rituals, in which it was important to use specific magical properties, especially at the turning points or in difficult situations of one’s life. Due to the rapid social and moral changes in the region of Bialystok, many secret magical acts and practises exercised by whisperers, healers and witches have been forgotten. They survived only in the memory of older generation.

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