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AT 545B “Puss in Boots” and “The Fox-Matchmaker”: From the Central Asian to the European Tradition

1999; Routledge; Volume: 110; Issue: 1-2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/0015587x.1999.9715981

1469-8315

Marianthi Kaplanoglou,

Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Studies

The basic theme of taletype 545B unfolds in two narrative traditions which differ with regard to the hero, who can be a cat in the West or a fox in the East, and also with regard to the structure of the narrative itself. This paper discusses the 545B narrative tradition originating from the people of an extensive “middle” area (Armenia, the Caucasus, Asia Minor and Southeastern Europe), taking into account Central Asian versions of the tale as well as West European ones. This investigation is based on recently collected material as well as the unpublished versions from the Archives of the Academy of Athens and of the Greek Folklore Society. It seems to confirm the view of Polivka who, as early as in 1900, studied the variations of the oral tradition of AT 545B and concluded that it had originated in the East. This paper also examines the role of shamanistic practices and beliefs of the Asian people in the construction of the narrative.