Zana (mythology)
Zana is a figure from northern Albanian mythology .
Zanen are mountain fairies that live at springs and rivers in the northern Albanian highlands , where each mountain has its own zana. Accordingly, each tribe of the highlands had its own Zana, which had special properties. The Zanen are considered brave, spirited and give protection to the chosen warrior. According to popular belief, they sing and dance at the springs at night, pick flowers and bathe naked. Anyone who watches them bathing will be killed by them.
The Zanen play an important role in northern Albanian folk literature, especially in the heroic songs. They also appear in Gjergj Fishta epic Lahuta e Malcís (The Lute of the Highlands) .
The Zana is similar to the Slavic Wila and the Romanian Zână.
literature
- Robert Elsie: Handbook to Albanian Folk Culture. Mythology, religion, popular belief, customs, customs and cultural characteristics. Center for Albanian Studies, London 2002, ISBN 978-1508986300 .
Individual evidence
- ↑ Martin Mato: Ephos and Mythology . In: State Museum for Ethnology Munich (Ed.): Albania. Wealth and diversity of ancient culture . Self-published, Munich 2001, ISBN 3-9807561-2-2 , p. 146 .