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p. xiii

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

 

INTRODUCTORY.

 

 

PAGE

Khorovod, or Choral, Songs

1

The Posidyélka, or Social Gathering

32

The Besyéda

36

Divisions of Songs

39

Cossack and Robber Songs

42

Soldier Songs

61

The Builínas, or Metrical Romances

65

Story of Svyatogor

68

Story of Sukhman

64

Ruibnikof's Researches

67

CHAPTER II.

 

MYTHOLOGY.

 

SECTION I.--THE OLD GODS.

 

Old Slavonic Mythology

80

Perun

86

Other Slavonic Deities

103

SECTION II.--DEMIGODS AND FAIRIES.

 

Ideas about the Soul

107

The Domovoy, or House-spirit

120

p. xiv

 

 

PAGE

House-changing Ceremonies

136

The Rusálka, or Naiad

139

The Vodyany, or Water-sprite

148

The Lyeshy, or Wood-demon

153

SECTION III.--STORYLAND BEINGS.

 

The Bába Yagá, or Ogress

161

Koshchei the Immortal

164

The Witch

168

The Snake

172

The Water-king

178

Swan Maidens

179

Tom Thumb

183

CHAPTER III.

 

MYTHIC AND RITUAL SONGS.

 

Kolyádki, or Christmas Songs

186

Gadániya, or Guessings

195

Ovsen and New Year Songs

202

Feast of the Epiphany

207

Death of Winter

210

Reception of the Spring

211

Cuckoo Christening

214

Eastertide

219

Krasnaya Gorka

222

Dodola Songs

227

St. George Songs

229

Semík and Whitsuntide Songs

233

Midsummer Rites

239

Kupálo

241

Funeral of Kostroma, or Yarilo

244

Harvest Rites

247

p. xv

 

 

PAGE

Volos, the Cattle-God.

251

September Customs

254

The Ovín, or Corn-kiln

257

Dmitry's Saturday

260

CHAPTER IV.

 

MARRIAGE SONGS.

 

A modern Peasant Wedding

263

Old Slavonian ideas about Marriage

282

Purchase of the Bride

283

Bride's Sorrow at leaving her Home

287

Her affection towards her Parents

292

Mitigation of Patriarchal Severity

293

Love Songs

295

A Bride's Complaint

303

Songs of Married Life

305

Mythical Wedding Guests

306

CHAPTER V.

 

FUNERAL SONGS.

 

Death Weddings

309

The Rádunitsa

310

Modern Funeral Rites

313

Funeral Banquets

320

Ghost Banquets

321

Ancient Funeral Rites

322

Human Sacrifices

327

Strava, and Trizna

331

p. xvi

 

 

PAGE

Lament of Orphans

334

A Widow's Lament

338

Wailings at Graves

343

CHAPTER VI.

 

SORCERY AND WITCHCRAFT.

 

Zagádkas, or Enigmas

346

Zagovórs, or Spells

357

Buyan, the Elysian Isle

374

The stone Alatuir

376

Wizards and Witches

378

Amulets

387

Cattle-spells

389

Poisoners

393

Cattle-plague Spells

395

Cholera and Small-pox

402

Werewolves

404

Vampires

409

History of Russian Witchcraft

417

Mythological Explanations

427

Conclusion

433

APPENDICES.

 

(A) List of Authorities

437

(B.) Note on Metres

440

 


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