In Albania, Romania and Hungary, some people believe that if a snake lives long enough and is not seen by a human, it will eventually turn into a dragon. In these circumstances, she somehow becomes vulnerable and can be killed when shes shot with iron bullets. Thanks for sticking to the end, I hope you enjoyed the Albanian creepy legends and Albanian mythology creatures so far! WOW! Which, by the way, also serves as a very serious warning to avoid this person, as this is someone undoubtedly evil and dangerous. [2] [1] The kulshedra is believed to spit fire, cause drought, storms, flooding, earthquakes and other natural disasters against mankind. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. It goes without saying that because of its seemingly wicked character and powerful abilities lugat is seen as a dangerous and extremely violent creature that wishes to inflict violence and cruelty upon people. Apparently, these two factors make them evil and the word shtriga itself is used to describe someone as evil. [5], In Albanian mythology, the physical phenomena, elements and objects are attributed to supernatural beings. I suppose its fine if it can save a life. [9] Besa is a common practice in Albanian culture, consisting of an oath taken by Sun, by Moon, by sky, by earth, by fire, by stone, by mountain, by water and by snake, which are all considered sacred objects. Copyright [2020] [www.thebalkansandbeyond.com]. But thats not all. Often you could even call this family business (yes, like Sam & Dean), as the young dhampirs learn the craft from their own parents and grandparents. Vrykolakas would find someone who is asleep and then crush and suffocate them by sitting on them. Folk beliefs of the Southern Tosk Albanians reveal similar Albanian mythological figures of fate and destiny, the Mirai and Fatia. As soon as the creature chooses a food source in the foggy streets, it will immediately proceed to follow this person. SHE HAD A WOMANS MOUTH WITH ALL ITS PEARLS COMPLETE: AND FOR HER EYES: WHAT COULD SUCH EYES DO THERE BUT WEEP, AND WEEP, THAT THEY WERE BORN SO FAIR?. In Ottoman times, often to escape higher taxes levied on Christian subjects, the majority of Albanians became Muslims. [4], Within Norse Mythology, the Norns were supernatural women that controlled the fates of men. Speaking of spitting into someones mouth If you want to avoid that for your children, or any children, for that matter, youll be relieved to know that in some Albanian regions its common to say mashaallah to children and babies while also touching their noses. And did I mention that this strategy can only be implemented on Easter Sunday? Some scarier than others. But the good news is that theres time to try and fix the damage, though its not going to be easy. The next vampire creature did not originate in Albania, but in Greece. But yeah, its that simple. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". But that would need an article of its own. The elements of Albanian mythology are of ancient Paleo-Balkanic origin and almost all of them are pagan. Obviously, there is a good reason why sampiros eyes are the only thing that is not all covered up. The French consul in Janina and Thessalonika, Auguste Dozon, published Albanian folk tales and songs initially in the 1879 Manuel de la langue chkipe ou albanaise (Manual of the Shkip or Albanian Language) and in the 1881 Contes albanais, recueillis et traduits (Albanian Tales, Collected and Translated). In the mountain side on the road to Prizren remains a cavern that travels miles underground - some say even beneath the Drin. It isnt the murderous type, but it still hunts, it can shapeshift, and it can even leave you bloodthirsty. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Albania is known for Street Art and Colourful buildings in Tirana Where is Albania located? They can roar like thunder, make the earth shake, and snack on grown people. Mythological Creatures Coming at Night and Strangling People. But, to ensure the builders couldnt create a more beautiful building somewhere else, he had them all stranded on the roof so that they would perish and be unable to build again. Albanian folk tales were first recorded in the middle of the nineteenth century by European scholars such as Johann Georg von Hahn, the Austrian consul in Janina (Ioannina), Karl H. Reinhold and Giuseppe Pitr. [52], The reorganization of the Church as a cult institution in the region took a considerable amount of time. I love hearing mythology and folklore stories, especially ones Ive never heard from new places. The next boogeyman on the list is called Buba and we know even less about this one. Syliga basically refers to the evil eye that can unleash a storm of bad luck. In Norse mythology, the Helm of Awe (also known as the Helm of Terror) is a magical item worn by the dragon Fafnir, who attributes much of his invincibility to its power. The two titans eventually killed one another and poor Earthly Beauty drowned in her tears, which became the Osum River. They could then be captured and killed at the threshold as they vainly attempted to pass. When Ana arrived, they told her that they wanted to play a game during their lunchtime. Between the early 7th century and the late 9th century the interior areas of the Balkans were deprived of church administration, and Christianity might have survived only as a popular tradition on a reduced degree. Songs of the Frontier Warriors described by Robert Elsie as one of the best-known cycles of Albanian epic verse.[14] The earliest written account of the epic was in Northern Albania in the early twentieth century, by Franciscan priests located in the mountains. If youre unlucky enough to be chosen by sampiro, however, there is a bright side. Baba is woken by his four eagles and makes sure Earthly Beauty is taken to safety before setting off to battle Shpirag. [8] Fire worship is associated with the cult of the Sun, the cult of the hearth and the cult of fertility in agriculture and animal husbandry. [26][20], The next generation of scholars who became interested in collecting Albanian folk material were mainly philologists, among them the Indo-European linguists concerned about the study of the then little known Albanian language. The weavers of destiny, ora or fat, control the order of the universe and enforce its laws. From 1848 he served as interpreter to French consul in Shkodra, Louis Hyacinthe Hcquard, who was very interested in, and decided to prepare a book on, northern Albanian folklore. They appear also on later funerary monuments, including the medieval tombstones (steci) in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the burial monuments used until recently in northern Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, southern Serbia and northern North Macedonia. If you watch South Park, you may feel a deja vu as you read the part with the nickname, as Cartman from South Park has assigned this exact nickname to people with red hair who can walk in the sunlight without being scared of its effects on them. Most commonly shtriga is described as a woman with intense and undeniable hate in her eyes. A shtriga (Albanian: shtrig) is a vampiric witch in Albanian mythology and folklore that sucks the blood of infants at night while they sleep, and then turns into a flying insect (traditionally a moth, fly or bee). The Albanian terms for "hero" are trim (female: trimnesh), kreshnik or hero (female: heroin). Short on time? Clearly, the superpowers come from the vampire parent but we all know that vampires have weaknesses too. On his journey, Mujo meets an Ora who tells him he must slay Slavic warrior Behuri. These relations can be seen during the rule of the Illyrian emperors, such as Aurelian who introduced the cult of the Sun; Diocletian who stabilized the empire and ensured its continuation through the institution of the Tetrarchy; Constantine the Great who issued the Edict of Toleration for the Christianized population and who summoned the First Council of Nicaea involving many clercs from Illyricum; Justinian who issued the Corpus Juris Civilis and sought to create an Illyrian Church, building Justiniana Prima and Justiniana Secunda, which was intended to become the centre of Byzantine administration. [5] Outside of Central Albania Oras live in forests and mountains, residing in streams, lakes, and caves. As a matter of fact, these stories tell us that dhampirs are just regular members of our societies that also happen to be Albanian mythology creatures. [59] Since its founding in 1912, Albania has been a secular state, becoming atheist during the Communist regime, and returning secular after the fall of the regime. The folklorist Giuseppe Pitr published in 1875 a selection of Albanian folk tales from Sicily in Fiabe, novelle e racconti popolari siciliani (Sicilian Fables, Short Stories and Folk Tales). On the other hand, some people strongly believe that shtriga can be killed when she is caughtfeeding. The characters in Albanian tales, legends and myths include humans, deities, demigods, monsters, as well as supernatural beings in the shapes of men, animals and plants. [15], Extract from Songs of the Frontier Warriors (Mujos Oras), translated by Robert Elsie -, Oh oras, to whom do you render assistance?. [54] In 726 Leo III established de jure the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople over the Balkans, as the Church and the State established an institution. I cant say thats its surprising to see shtriga being used in pop culture because it appears not only in Albanian folklore, but in Polish, Romanian, Italian, and many others too. Anyway, trapping shtriga in a church wasnt even the last alternative. [6], In an Albanian tale published by Post Wheeler with the title The Girl who took a Snake for a Husband, the Shtriga appears as "the grandmother of all witches" that lives in the Underworld, a place of a red sun, a green sky and black trees.[7]. But what bothers me is the part of scaring children into not crying. According to legend, only the shtrig herself could cure those she had drained (often by spitting in their mouths), and those who were not cured inevitably sickened and died. Her favorite target is infants and she typically hunts during the night when infants (and their parents, for that matter) are sleeping. Basically, you have 3 options there: impale its head on a spike, chop its head off, or seek help from a professional vampire hunter. I mean, it would make more sense if it was the evil nose, but fair enough. SHE SEEMD, AT ONCE, SOME PENANCED LADY ELF, SOME DEMONS MISTRESS, OR THE DEMONS OWN SELF. Ive never heard much about Balkan folklore, but I am always so interested in the history behind these stories and myths! [46], Among the Illyrians of early Albania the Sun was a widespread symbol. [62][63][64] Bektashism is a Muslim dervish order (tariqat) thought to have originated in the 13th century in a frontier region of Anatolia, where Christianity, Islam and paganism coexisted, allowing the incorporation of comparable pagan and non-Muslim beliefs into popular Islam. Its time to meet some of North Macedonias mythical creatures! the Bolla dragon. The good news is that it can be killed. Anyway, the list doesnt actually end there. [67][3][68] Ancient paganism persisted among Albanians, and within the inaccessible and deep interior it has continued to persist, or at most it was partially transformed by the Christian, Muslim and Marxist beliefs that were either to be introduced by choice or imposed by force. [17][18], Extract from Songs of the Frontier Warriors (The Marriage of Halili), translated by Robert Elsie . In Christian iconography the symbol of the Sun is associated with immortality and a right to rule. After that, all youll need to do is throw the salt into direct flames while also saying syt i dalin syt i plain. An Ora is made a victim by Paji as he clenches and crushes its arm. The Eastern Church expanded its influence in the area along with the social and political developments. Fatit. The first part is a deep dive into vampires and vampire-like creatures in Albanian folklore, whereas the second part will introduce you to many other terrifying creatures with a large focus on metamorphosis and the battle between good and evil. A large abandoned ancient city remains within the cavern, with a bazar stocked with all of the finest and best fruit, flesh, fish, and fair raiment. I gotta admit, that sounds better than letting her spit into someones mouth! [58], Islam was first introduced to Albania in the 15th century after the Ottoman conquest of the area. After WW2, rumours circulated about chilling apparitions which were named Prepasti. Perhaps the first thing about lugats physical appearance that stands out the most is that unlike its fellow vampires, it has regular human teeth and not vampire fangs. The name can be used to express that a person is evil. It would be wrapped with a silver medal of St. George, then blessed by a priest - providing protection against the evil Oras and devils when worn.[24]. Follow Dark Scope on social media for the updates! It can even take weeks. Apparently the storytellers even saw interactions with the Turks as a risk that could turn anyone else into a vampire. Lets start by dissecting the name shtriga and the meaning behind it! Traditionally sung in the far north of Albania,[13] Albanian oral literature has preserved many archaic elements, revealing traces of Greco-Roman mythology within, including the mythical Ora. The Czech linguist and professor of Romance languages and literature, Jan Urban Jarnik, published in 1883 Albanian folklore material from the region of Shkodra in Zur albanischen Sprachenkunde (On Albanian Linguistics) and Pspvky ku poznn ne albnskch uveejuje (Contributions to the Knowledge of Albanian Dialects). Not that you should suspect your yoga instructor and professional dancers of being dhampirs, but still an interesting thought. Basically scaring them to listen to rules, or else the terrible boogeyman will show up. [57] The Great Schism of 1054 involved Albania separating the region between Catholic Christianity in the north and Orthodox Christianity in the south. His folklore material was republished in his Albanesische Studien (Albanian Studies). 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