‘Lesser Mythology’ in the Carpathian Ukrainians’ System of Worldview Notions

Abstract

‘Lesser  mythology’  played  an  important  role  in  the  worldview  notions  of  the  Carpathian Ukrainians (Hutsuls, Boykos and Lemkos) during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It combines notions  about  various  demonic  figures,  which  may  be  divided  into  three  types: figures  of unearthly  origin;  transformed  human  souls;  people  in  possession  of  secret knowledge and supernatural qualities. The terms used to define the representatives of lesser mythology  varied from region  to  region.  A  range  of  euphemisms  was  also  used.  The coexistence between the living and the undead gave rise to many taboos relating to magic.