Demonic Beings Irudica and Poganica in Old Folks` Beliefs, Incantations, and Prayers

Abstract

According to the oral tradition, St. John the Baptist and King Herod Antipas were on good terms. However, when Herod decided to marry the wife of his brother Philip, John the Baptist strongly reproved of it. During King Herod Antipas`s birthday celebrations, Herodias`s daughter seductively danced before the king, so Herod decided to give her everything she desired, even up to half of his kingdom. When the daughter asked her mother what she should request, she was told to ask for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. Herod granted her the wish. According to the gospels, it likely occurred on 29 August 29 AD.

In Croatian oral tradition, Herodias and her daughter turned into demonic creatures. Croats refer to Herodias as Poganica, her daughter Irudica and Herod Irud.

According to Croatian tradition, Irudica brings a heavy thunderstorm, while St. Elijah persecutes her and throws thunderbolts her way in order to destroy her. However, Irudica`s mother Poganica hides her daughter in the clouds.

Incantations against inclement weather are of archetypical provenance in Croatia. During the course of time, Croats transformed former incantations into Christian prayers. Numerous prayers are recited against bad weather by the elderly even today. Croats also recount stories about Poganica, Irudica and Irud. In these prayers and stories, the main protagonists are Poganica,
Irudica, St. John the Baptist and St. Elijah. In some prayers, people invoke Virgin Mary, St. Peter, St. Nicholas (the Bishop), St. Andrew (the First-Called). The prayers are still occasionally accompanied by pre-Christian rituals

In the paper, some forty examples written in the past twenty years are interpreted in biblical, ethnological, and anthropological context.