Spirits of Disease in Rus': The Fever Sisters, Mother Smallpox, and the Boot Beetle
14.99 €
Out of stock
Spirits of Disease in Rus': The Fever Sisters, Mother Smallpox, and the Boot Beetle
14.99 €
Cholera was warded by a policeman and drank kerosene mixed with tar. Fever maidens could be warded off by showing off with them—or simply by chopping them down with an axe. Smallpox, however, needed to be appeased with bread and salt. These aren't random anecdotes, but rather beliefs held by Russian peasants a couple of centuries ago.
Folklorist Anton Nelikhov's book, using a wealth of archival materials and pre-revolutionary newspaper publications, provides the first detailed account of the folk demonology of disease: the demons of cholera and smallpox, various types of fever, hexes, and the evil eye. You'll read about mystical "encounters" with illnesses and discover a multitude of unusual—and sometimes dangerous—remedies for getting rid of them: from the release of "bad blood," crazy potions, charms, and incantation songs to amulets and clever ways to deceive illness.
What do these spirits look like? Who was Marya Irodovna, and what diseases fly on the wind, seeking people? What's the difference between the evil eye and the flock? Who are the "ore-throwers" and what is "umbilical gnawing"? Why is it better for no one to know about an upcoming birth? Why was the smallpox vaccination considered the "seal of the Antichrist"? Finally, what methods of combating disease spirits have survived and are still used today?
You will find answers to these and many other questions about peasant beliefs, folk medicine, and traditional customs in this unique work.
Folklorist Anton Nelikhov's book, using a wealth of archival materials and pre-revolutionary newspaper publications, provides the first detailed account of the folk demonology of disease: the demons of cholera and smallpox, various types of fever, hexes, and the evil eye. You'll read about mystical "encounters" with illnesses and discover a multitude of unusual—and sometimes dangerous—remedies for getting rid of them: from the release of "bad blood," crazy potions, charms, and incantation songs to amulets and clever ways to deceive illness.
What do these spirits look like? Who was Marya Irodovna, and what diseases fly on the wind, seeking people? What's the difference between the evil eye and the flock? Who are the "ore-throwers" and what is "umbilical gnawing"? Why is it better for no one to know about an upcoming birth? Why was the smallpox vaccination considered the "seal of the Antichrist"? Finally, what methods of combating disease spirits have survived and are still used today?
You will find answers to these and many other questions about peasant beliefs, folk medicine, and traditional customs in this unique work.
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