PT Journal
AU Macalova, J
TI Superstitions and Folk Magic at the End of the Nineteenth Century in the Period Periodical Nasinec
SO Historica Olomucensia
PY 2014
BP 163
EP 179
VL 0
IS 89
DE witchcraft; magic; superstitions; legends; 19th century; Nasinec; qualitative document analysis
AB The paper deals with the manifestation of magic and beliefs in superstitions in everyday life of 19th century people, or more precisely their representation in the period press Nasinec. On the basis of qualitative document analysis it was examined that despite the secular tendencies, magic and superstitious beliefs of people seemed to be a normal part of their life. The regional press informed about concrete cases of superstitious people as regards folk medicine, bewitching of livestock or clouds etc. The attitudes of authors of these articles have been followed and it may be said that they often mentioned their laments over superstitiousness of people and unbelievingly observed that also upper class tended to those beliefs. On the contrary, in the spirit of developing modernisation they emphasized an educated and rationally thinking man. According to published news, Nasinec made an effort to eliminate superstitious beliefs which were still present in the 19th century society. The discussed topic, which is on the boundary between history and ethnography, has not been thoroughly examined yet. In the Czech environment there is not known any work that is focused on this issue in the same or similar manner. That is why this paper is rather a probe and outlines the possible ways of further research. For instance, a comparison with other period periodicals, which might provide a more complex view of the analysed matter at that time, appears to be suggested.
ER