Structuralist inspired research of folk religion in Serbia

Abstract

This paper discusses application of structuralist methodology to the research of folk region in Serbia. I discussed possible anticipations and the beginning of application of structural methodology; period of high popularity of rites of passage theories in our ethnology/anthropology, as well as most developed forms of analysis inspired by structuralism. On the example of two specifically chosen ‘case studies’ I show the ways in which structuralism in our science helped us to see problems from a completely new angle and fostered a creation of new and original conclusions. In the paper, I claim that the beginning of applications of the ideas and methods developed in structuralism, made a breaking point with the previous research of folk religion, and at its highest points, in some ways, made a basis for the understanding of folk religion as a holistic system.