THE WOLF WITH HORNS. A CONTRIBUTION TO THE RESEARCH OF ORAL BASMS

Abstract

The paper describes six charms recorded in Novi Pazar (Raška county, South-western Serbia). The texts were being comparatively studied, using the compiled charms by Ljubinko Radenković, Momčilo Zlatanović, Tihomir R. Đorđević, Vladimir Bovan, Milivoj V. Knežević and Iveta Todorova-Pirgova. Based on their characteristics, the study showed that these six charms belong to South Slavic magic charm tradition. Considering the fact that the conjurer belongs to Bosniak nationality, and that the charms in most part coincide with those recorded in Serbian population, we may conclude that the observed texts are common to both Muslims and Christians, which is probably the result of the common Slavic and pre-Ottoman past or a confirmation of remark on universality of magic which dates back to primitive, pagan peoples, whose traits preserved to present days.