Ye. V. Karakin, T. V. Pashkova. Entomological images in Karelian beliefs

Yevgeniy V. Karakin
Tatyana V. Pashkova
Petrozavodsk State University,
Petrozavodsk, Russia

Introduction. Insects act as an element of the mythological system and rituals, provided by a variety of functions, occupied a certain place in the rituals, beliefs and medical practice of the Karelians. Among domestic insect parasites, the lice are most widely represented in the Karelian language and rituals. The research novelty of the study is determined by the fact that researchers did not turn to the question of the functioning of insects in mythological views and the ritual tradition of Karelians. However, such research is necessary in order to recreate the integrity of the mythological picture of the Karelians, which determines the relevance of this article.
Materials and Methods. The material for the study was entomological images in the beliefs and folk medicine of the Karelians. They were considered using comparative historical, comparative and comparative and ethnolinguistic methods.
Results and Discussion. The authors dwell on the mythological views of Karelians about domestic parasite insects using the example of lice. These beliefs are reflected in the causes of diseases, methods of treatment, as well as in mythological stories and folklore.
Conclusion. The collected and analyzed linguistic and ethnographic data make it possible to come to the conclusion that the lice are the representatives of the entomofauna. Karelians have many beliefs connected with lice, which are reflected in the linguistic picture of the world and traditional culture.

Keywords: Karelians, beliefs, traditions, medicinal magic, parasite insects, lice

For citation: Karakin YeV, Pashkova TV. Entomological images in Karelian beliefs. Finno-ugorskii mir = Finno-Ugric World. 2021;13;2:136–142. (In Russ.). DOI: 10.15507/2076-2577.013.2021.02.136-142.

Information about the authors
Ye. V. Karakin – Senior Lecturer, Department of Baltic-Finnish Philology, Petrozavodsk State University, karakin.86@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3684-0971
T. V. Pashkova – Doctor of History, Head of Department of Baltic-Finnish Philology, Petrozavodsk State University, tvpashkova05@mail.ru,
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0505-4767