Re: Servian Kurent and Kraniatz

--- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, "andelkod" <andelkod@...> wrote:

> --- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, João Simões Lopes Filho
> <jodan99@...> wrote:
> > A book of myths mentions the tales of Servian Kurent (a kind of
> devilish trickster god) and giant Kranyatz. What's the origin of
> these characters?
> >
> > Joao SL
>
> The origin of this Carnival figure is unknown. Possibly It could

be

> of Slavic or Celtic-Illyrian origin.
>
> The Kurent (or Korant) is an ancient carnival character

originating

> in pagan times in the Ptuj Plain, Slovenia.
> Kurent makes deafening noise by jumping and thus chases away

winter

> and invites the spring to come into the country.
> The Kurent wears a sheepskin coat, either black or white, and a
> leather belt or a chain with numerous cowbells. He also wears a
> fearsome hat adorned with the horns of cattle
>
> The Kurent is not an isolated occurrence. A number of similar
> figures can be found as part of the traditional customs of
> Medjimurje, Croatia (here they are called Lampe), Baranja,

Croatia

> (Bushe) and all over Serbia and Bulgaria (Kukerei).
>
> It is assumed that the Kurent is a personification of an ancient
> totemic demon, and Bulgarian Kukerei, Croatian Lampe and Bushe are
> believed to have developed from the same belief.
>
> Giant Kranyatz: Kranjec, in meaning, person from Kranjska,

Slovenia

> (Carniola), probably some similar character.

When I reconsider your question, maybe your Kurent is Sorbian Krabat
(German Lusatian Serbs), a character from Sorbian legends very
similar to German legend of Faust.