Slovanské pohanství dnes - Vlivy novopohanství na společnost i jednotlivce

Bc. Jiří Atweri, Ph.D.

Master's thesis

Slavonic Paganism of Today - the Influence of Neopaganism on the Society and an Individual

Abstract:

Tato magisterská diplomová práce se zabývá náboženským vyznáním obyvatel v České republice a v několika dalších evropských zemích, především na Ukrajině. Smyslem této práce je však zejména důraz kladený na nové religiózní projevy, které jsou mimo jiné spojeny i s projevy slovanského novopohanství. Práce 'Slovanské pohanství dnes – vlivy novopohanství na společnost a jednotlivce' popisuje českou náboženskou společnost Rodná Víra, ale také obdobné skupiny fungující souběžně ve většině slovansky hovořících zemích. Práce se však zabývá v hlubším kontextu také složitými náboženskými představami starých Slovanů, bez jejichž objasnění by snahy soudobých novopohanských sdružení nemohly být zcela pochopeny. Hlavním cílem této práce je ovšem vliv slovanské mytologie a bájesloví na celou společnost v určitých dějinných obdobích a také návrat k pohanství z pohledu a psychiky jednotlivce.

Abstract:

This work is called “Slavonic Paganism of Today – the Influence of Neopaganism on the Society and an Individual”. It concerns with contemporary religious movements in the Czech Republic and also in other Slavonic speaking countries, especially in the Ukraine. It is centred on the phenomenon of neopaganism in its Neo-Slavonic form that is known as “native belief” (rodnověří) or simply as “paganism” (jazyčnictví). The first chapter introduces problems of contemporary religious movements in the Czech Republic in context with the census of 2001. As I said, it deals especially with neopaganism in its Slavonic form, but in short also with Neo-Celtic and Neo-Germanic religious traditions. The second chapter deals with the sources of information about the Slavonic mythology and also with the scientific research in this field. However, its main concern is the reconstruction of the original functions of the Slavonic gods and goddesses and it also discusses the Slavonic cosmology; demonic beings, spirits and other supernatural creatures; the cult of trees, herbs and animals; the old Slavonic temples and sacred places; the function of wizards (žrecové) and witches (vědmy) in the old Slavonic society; the magic practices; geometric symbols and the ceremonial cycle of the Slavonic year. The third chapter is about the religious society “Native Belief” (Rodná víra) from the Czech Republic. Its characteristics, activities and ceremonies are described here. The interests of the fourth chapter are in Slavonic neopaganism all over the Slavonic speaking countries (Ukraine, Russia, Belorussia, Slovakia, Poland, Estonia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia and in short in Slovenia, Macedonia and Montenegro) and about the revival of Baltic mythology in Latvia, Lithuania and in historical Prussia. The chapter is also focused on the cooperation among the Slavonic neopagans. The fifth chapter concentrates on the return to paganism in some historical periods such as the national rebirth of the Slavonic nations. It deals with “The Book of Veles” and its influence on neopagans among the Eastern Slavs. The „Slavonic solidarity“; home altars and idols are mentioned as well. The last chapter is about my field work in Lusatia and Rügen in 2006 that was connected with the influence of “native belief” upon individuals. The opinions and reasons for conversion of several Slavonic neopagans are analysed here. In short, the main goal of this work is to understand the complex relations among the Slavonic mythology, Slavonic neopaganism and Slavonic solidarity. Most of the contemporary neopagans are interested in Slavonic history and culture; in Slavonic solidarity and in Slavonic beliefs and these three ideas are closely interconnected in the “native belief” of today.

Keywords

Slované, neopaganismus, mytologie, slovanská vzájemnost, slovanští bohové, rodnověří, jazyčnictví

Language used: Czech

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 6. 6. 2007

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 14. 6. 2007
• Supervisor: doc. PhDr. Martina Pavlicová, CSc.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Arts

Master programme / field:
Historical Sciences / Ethnology