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Koza the fioat in Folklore, Song, and Life by Helene N. Turkewicz-Sanko In agrarian communities, ordinary country folk and farmers have long known the importance of having a goat, but their knowledge was transmitted mostly orally. We need to look at the works of gentlemen farmers to find relevant quotations that reveal the importance of goats on farmsteads throughout the years. The Dictionary o f Superstitions (1989) cites a Riddle Book from 1840 in which the goat is called the “doctor” of the farm animals: Some may think it all a fable When I say that in the stable I am a doctor, and my scent Does many maladies prevent. Another quotation, recorded in 1973, remains very relevant: “As a small boy I saw a goat running with the herd on several farms in the country and was told that as long as the animal was with the cows they would be safe from foot and mouth disease.” A quotation from 1858 praises goats for bringing good health and also good luck: “One of these animals kept about an Inn or Farmstead, is not only conducive to good health of other animals, but also brings good luck to the owner.” Good luck on the farm signifies healthy cattle and lots of heads. It seems that farmers also developed their own wisdom about preventing miscarriages and abortions in cattle. The following farmer’s comment was recorded in 1910: “Since I introduced a he-goat among my shorthorns, abortion has ceased. Previously it was very troublesome.” A comment recorded in Folklore (1915) adds: “It is said “It is said to be lucky to let a goat run with the cows - it is said to prevent cows from casting their calves.” The goat, thus, held a very distinctive and very honored position among farmers of a century ago. For representations of the Goat in Art, Folklore gives the following guidelines: “It appears to be a convention, at least from the 13th century, to represent pastoral scenes with sheep feeding on the ground, and a goat on his hind legs craning up to browse on a tree.” This comment is especially interesting when we consider how the goat is viewed in Ukrainian folklore. The Ukrainian goat is not merely a goat (Koza), but a “craning up the tree goat” (Koza Dereza) from the verb “dratysia” which means “to climb up to impossible places.” Indeed, the 1964 graphic illustration for Ukrainian Folk Tales by Ukrainian artist J. Hnizdovsky, captures the essence of this mythical animal in Ukrainian folklore. Ukrainian archeologist Dokia Humenna traces the existence of the goat to the Neolothic and Pale olithic times {The Family Album , 1971). Thus, Koza- the goat is an entity which holds a very special place in Slavic, and especially Ukrainian, folklore. To this day, Koza-Dereza, plays an integral role in the ritual known as “The Leading of the Goat” during the Christmas- New Year season. A mask and a costume glorify the Koza. In the procession of costumed Christmas-New Years carolers, the Goat plays a leading role. It is the goat that enters the homes first, followed by the other singers. She is allowed to perform and amuse the audience. Literally, everything is permitted to her. In the old traditional Ukrainian home, her place is the famous Ukrainian clay stove, which also serves as a bed. From here she sings her famous song: I am Koza-Dereza, I am on my hind legs craning up. I was bought for three heaps of hay (or the equivalent of three coins) I have been so beaten up in my life That sometimes I miss my coat, my skin and my hind legs, And there is only half of me left. But I shall stamp you, stamp you, with my feet! I shall toss you, toss you, and pierce you with my horns! Then trample you beneath my hooves! Sweep you outdoors with my tail! Death will be your lot! The words of her song are most significant. First, the goat is affordable; she can be bought for three heaps of hay. In some instances, a goat has been called “the poor man’s cow.” Secondly, she describes herself as half tom apart. Thirdly, she inspires fear with horns that can “pierce you,” hooves that can “stamp you to death,” and a mighty tail that can “sweep you off.” The symbols have an interesting interpretation. As a character in Ukrainian children’s folk lore, the goat appears as a feminine entity. The she- goat is usually white, the color of purity and in nocence. As innocent as she may be, she finds herself in all kinds of trouble, which under normal circum stances would bring anybody’s downfall. But in her case, there is a je ne sais quoi about her which makes her a very seductive being. She personifies indepen dence; she cannot be anyone’s true “possession” which, of course, makes her even more attractive. She may be scolded, even beaten, but she is also quickly Видання C оюзу Українок A мерики - перевидано в електронному форматі в 2012 році . A рхів C У A - Ню Йорк , Н . Й . C Ш A.
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