ORAL TRADITIONS AND LEGENDS IN THE ETHNOLOGICAL CONTEXT OF IMOTSKI AREA

U ovom radu prikazan je jedan dio usmene predaje koja se čuva do dan danas u Imotskoj Krajini, a poseban naglasak je na mitskim i demonološkim predajama te legendama. U mitskim predajama dominiraju likovi vila, a demonološki elementi očituju se u predajama o vješticama. Legendama se objašnjavao postanak prirodnih ljepota i fenomena, Crvenog i Modrog jezera. Povijesne predaje tiču se patnje i progona kršćana za vrijeme Osmanske okupacije, a posebice je objašnjen „danak u krvi“ i „Pravo prve bračne noći“. Osim predaja i legendi, prikazani su i pokladni običaji prije korizmenog vremena. Važnu ulogu i mjesto u tradiciji Imotske krajine zauzima crkveno-pučka baština, a prikazani su običaji Velikog tjedna i paljenje svitnjaka uoči blagdana svetog Ivana Krstitelja. Osim crkveno-pučke baštine, raširena su i mnoga praznovjerja koja u sebi sadrže i vjerske i poganske motive. Opisani su običaji koji se tiču svakodnevnog života; rođenje djeteta, svadbe, pogrebni običaji. Dio usmene tradicije čine i narodne mudrosti odnosno poslovice kojima su stariji naraštaji prenosili svoja znanja mlađim generacijama.In this thesis is presented a portion of oral traditions preserved until today in Imotski area with particular emphasis on mythological and demonological oral traditions and legends. While mythical narratives predominantley feature charachters such as fairies, demonological narratives are manifested in stories about witches. Legends explained the origin of natural beautise and phenomena, the Red and Blue Lake. Historical narratives relate to the suffering and persecution of Christians during the Ottoman occupation, and in particular, „the tribute in blood“ and the „Right of the First Night“. In addition to oral traditions and legends, carnival customs before Lent are also shown in this thesis. An important role and place in the tradition of Imotski area is occupied by ecclesiastical and folk heritage and in this thesis are shown the customs of Holy Week and the lighting the bonfires on the eve of the feast of St. John the Baptist. Apart from ecclestiastical and folk heritage, numerous superstitions are widespread, incorporating both religious and pagan elements Customs related to everyday life are described, including: childbirth, weddings, funeral customs. Part of the oral tradition is also folk wisdom, i.e. proverbs, which the older generations passed on their knowledge and experiences to the younger generations