Охота и охотники в народной культуре белорусов [Ohota i ohotniki v narodnoj kulʹture belorusov]

Abstract

The article reviews the history of hunting in Belarus and reveals the system of traditional ideas about hunting, which is closely related to the categories of everyday and mythological consciousness. It demonstrates that this craft is infused with a complex of mythological representations and is associated with magical practice. One also notes a special character of the relationship of hunters with foreign forces and beings. Hunters, while remaining a part of society, are in some cases endowed with demonic characteristics and equated with the category of “knowledgeable”, with sorcerers.

Keywords

• hunting
• hunter
• animals
• hunting magic
• folk culture