Angels, thieves and narratives: A case of latvian thief binding charms

Pp. 59-76

Abstract

The article explores benefits of a semantic group analysis of nearly 800 Latvian verbal charms against thieves. In order to map the intertextual relationships between charms and other texts, a conceptual model of three levels is provided, defining a broader cultural context, the level of narrative reference, and the level of text. The corpus of Latvian charms against thieves consists of both non-narrative and narrative charms, the latter dominated by “Thieves and The Holy Child” charm type. Few geographical and temporal outlines are suggested concerning the material in question, and a semi-quantitative analysis is applied regarding actors of encounter charms, locations in historiolas, and magic devices preferred by charmers.