The article analyzes a story written by Friulian primary-school children who participated in a European research project on basic literacy skills in the minority languages. Particular attention is given to two female figures inspired by the local folklore: the witch and the “agane”. The former is drawn from local traditional tales and is embodied by an evil old woman, a figure known in most of Friuli as “Mari de gnot” (Mother of the night). The latter is a water witch, possibly the most disquieting female creature in Friulian myth. The children portray the old hag as roaming in the woods and the “agane” as lurking in the streams, two familiar environments where they often play and explore. As a result, their knowledge of their natural environment combines with cultural elements, to form a convergence of ordinary and extraordinary aspects which is a typical element of myths, popular beliefs and fairytales.
Nature and Myth in Children's Stories
BURELLI, Alessandra
2010-01-01
Abstract
The article analyzes a story written by Friulian primary-school children who participated in a European research project on basic literacy skills in the minority languages. Particular attention is given to two female figures inspired by the local folklore: the witch and the “agane”. The former is drawn from local traditional tales and is embodied by an evil old woman, a figure known in most of Friuli as “Mari de gnot” (Mother of the night). The latter is a water witch, possibly the most disquieting female creature in Friulian myth. The children portray the old hag as roaming in the woods and the “agane” as lurking in the streams, two familiar environments where they often play and explore. As a result, their knowledge of their natural environment combines with cultural elements, to form a convergence of ordinary and extraordinary aspects which is a typical element of myths, popular beliefs and fairytales.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
