RELIGIOUS AND MYTHOLOGICAL REPRESENTATION RELATED TO HUNTING AND FOREST PATRONS IN AZERBAIJANI FOLKLORE

Abstract

A special place in the regulation of nature in Azerbaijani mythology, among the mythological characters, the patrons of hunting and forests occupy a special place. The archaic form of the characters suggests that they were synthesized. In later times, the functions of the characters were divided, and the field of activity of each of them was focused on one direction. The forest man is a demonic creature that protects the forest and trees and tries to kill people it encounters. The male version of the character has a zoomorphic appearance, and the female - Hal anasi is (a mythological creature).

The hunting patron is a mythological character that protects mountain and forest animals. It is impossible to say about him that he is a demon, he only punishes hunters who violate the rules of hunting, before that he warns them. The hunting patron appears before the hunter in a zoomorphic and anthropomorphic guise, who has made his hundredth hunt. This category of demonic mythological characters also includes water patrons, they are depicted as fish, half-fish-half-humans, indefinite creatures.

The article analyzes the plots and motifs associated with hunting and forest patrons, explores the issue of the transformation of mythological characters into religious figures, and clarifies the function of hunting patrons in the Islamic era.