Volume 10, Issue 45 (2022)
CFL 2022, 10(45): 177-210 |
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Raisi M R. Bungarus Totem and its Psychoanalytical Analysis in Balochi Popular Culture and Literature. CFL 2022; 10 (45) :177-210
URL: http://cfl.modares.ac.ir/article-11-64271-en.html
URL: http://cfl.modares.ac.ir/article-11-64271-en.html
PhD in Persian Language and Literature, Sistan and Balouchestan University, Zahedan, Iran , m.reyaz.raeisi@gmail.com
Abstract: (3637 Views)
Research background:
So far, no research has been done about the krait totem in Baloch folklore and literature. Some of the studies that are slightly related to the present research are:
1. Totemic reading of the animal motifs of the Halil River Jiroft civilization (3rd millennium BC) by Sehatmanesh (2018): In this article, the author examines the animal motifs discovered in Halilrud based on totemism and concludes that about 47% of the discovered motifs are related to animals. This article indicates the importance and sanctity of animals in this area of civilization.
2. Metamorphosis of blood into a snake in Garshaaspnaameh byEmami et al. (2013): In this article, the authors investigate the mystery of finding a snake from blood. One of the findings of this article is emphasizing the connection between snake and blood.
3. A new species of cobra and its registration in Iran by Abtin et al. (2016): This article identifies and examines a new species of a black snake that lives in Baluchistan. This research is based on environmental sciences and biology, and it is related to the present research only because of the investigation and stabilization of the krait in Balochistan.
Research purposes, questions, and assumptions
In this research, we examined how the krait became a totem and its continuation over many centuries. We wanted to know how krait is presented as a totem and what its connection is with the structures of Baloch consciousness. The continuity of a totem until now is another important psychological issue. The answer to why this continuity is based on Freudian-Lacanian psychoanalysis will provide a more accurate understanding of Balochi popular culture and literature.
In the present study, after explaining and describing the krait totem in Balochi popular culture and literature, using the theoretical approaches of Freud and Lacan in the field of psychoanalysis, with a descriptive-analytical method and based on the author's field research in Balochistan, we examined the emergence, continuity, and function of this totem in Balochi popular culture and literature. The most important research questions are:
1. What is the position of the Bungarus totem in Balochi popular culture and literature?
2. What are the psychoanalytic principles of the formation and continuation of the Bungarus totem in Baloch culture?
Main discussion
Baloch is one of the ancient tribes that has still preserved many of its very old customs and traditions. There are still signs of belief in some animal and plant totems among the Baloch. One of the most significant and enduring Baloch totems is a type of cobra known as the "krait" (seyahmaar) in Baluchistan. This type of snake, whose scientific name is Bungarus, lives in most areas of Balochistan. Baluchistan black snake with the scientific name B. persicus is registered globally.
The snake has been very important in the field of ancient Baluch civilizations, like in other regions of Iran. This importance can be seen in the ancient artifacts extracted from the living areas of the Baloch people. Bompur, Jiroft, Shahdad, Yahya, Mehregareh, and Shahresukhte are the most significant ancient sites where Baloch people live. Other material productions of the cultures such as Yahya, Shahdad, Jiroft, Bompur, and Shahresukhte are noticeable (Moradi, 2014, p. 132). According to the belief of the believers in this totem, finding killers of their kind and biting and killing them is one of the special abilities of this snake.
The krait in Balochistan is more than any other symbol associated with the phallus. As in the popular culture and literature of most nations of the world, "snake has been considered as a symbol of annoyance, masculinity, depression, revenge, misogyny, messaging, sloth, cunning, intellect, power, death, generation, renewal, temptation, intelligence, etc." (Yahaghi, 2012, p. 737).
Conclusion
The krait is one of the most dangerous and deadly snakes in the Balochistan region. This snake has had a significant presence in Balochi popular culture and literature due to its connection with issues related to life and death, and the functions and symbols related to it. Due to its association with the phallus, reproduction, and gestation, the krait has become one of the most important Baloch totems in the field of symbolism. Based on the psychoanalytic theories of Freud and Lacan, the krait totem is, above all, a symbol of the phallus and fertility and gestation, and it is an ancient sign of the problem of monogamy, reproduction, and the awareness of the father's role in it. This totem is the crystallization of fear and hope, desire and avoidance.
References
Moradi, H. (2014). The origin of the snake motif in the cultural materials of the third millennium BC in southeastern Iran; a sign of connection with Eilam and Mesopotamia. Archaeological Studies, 7(2), 131-148.
Yaahaghi, M. J. (2011). Culture of myths and stories in Persian literature. Contemporary Culture.
So far, no research has been done about the krait totem in Baloch folklore and literature. Some of the studies that are slightly related to the present research are:
1. Totemic reading of the animal motifs of the Halil River Jiroft civilization (3rd millennium BC) by Sehatmanesh (2018): In this article, the author examines the animal motifs discovered in Halilrud based on totemism and concludes that about 47% of the discovered motifs are related to animals. This article indicates the importance and sanctity of animals in this area of civilization.
2. Metamorphosis of blood into a snake in Garshaaspnaameh byEmami et al. (2013): In this article, the authors investigate the mystery of finding a snake from blood. One of the findings of this article is emphasizing the connection between snake and blood.
3. A new species of cobra and its registration in Iran by Abtin et al. (2016): This article identifies and examines a new species of a black snake that lives in Baluchistan. This research is based on environmental sciences and biology, and it is related to the present research only because of the investigation and stabilization of the krait in Balochistan.
Research purposes, questions, and assumptions
In this research, we examined how the krait became a totem and its continuation over many centuries. We wanted to know how krait is presented as a totem and what its connection is with the structures of Baloch consciousness. The continuity of a totem until now is another important psychological issue. The answer to why this continuity is based on Freudian-Lacanian psychoanalysis will provide a more accurate understanding of Balochi popular culture and literature.
In the present study, after explaining and describing the krait totem in Balochi popular culture and literature, using the theoretical approaches of Freud and Lacan in the field of psychoanalysis, with a descriptive-analytical method and based on the author's field research in Balochistan, we examined the emergence, continuity, and function of this totem in Balochi popular culture and literature. The most important research questions are:
1. What is the position of the Bungarus totem in Balochi popular culture and literature?
2. What are the psychoanalytic principles of the formation and continuation of the Bungarus totem in Baloch culture?
Main discussion
Baloch is one of the ancient tribes that has still preserved many of its very old customs and traditions. There are still signs of belief in some animal and plant totems among the Baloch. One of the most significant and enduring Baloch totems is a type of cobra known as the "krait" (seyahmaar) in Baluchistan. This type of snake, whose scientific name is Bungarus, lives in most areas of Balochistan. Baluchistan black snake with the scientific name B. persicus is registered globally.
The snake has been very important in the field of ancient Baluch civilizations, like in other regions of Iran. This importance can be seen in the ancient artifacts extracted from the living areas of the Baloch people. Bompur, Jiroft, Shahdad, Yahya, Mehregareh, and Shahresukhte are the most significant ancient sites where Baloch people live. Other material productions of the cultures such as Yahya, Shahdad, Jiroft, Bompur, and Shahresukhte are noticeable (Moradi, 2014, p. 132). According to the belief of the believers in this totem, finding killers of their kind and biting and killing them is one of the special abilities of this snake.
The krait in Balochistan is more than any other symbol associated with the phallus. As in the popular culture and literature of most nations of the world, "snake has been considered as a symbol of annoyance, masculinity, depression, revenge, misogyny, messaging, sloth, cunning, intellect, power, death, generation, renewal, temptation, intelligence, etc." (Yahaghi, 2012, p. 737).
Conclusion
The krait is one of the most dangerous and deadly snakes in the Balochistan region. This snake has had a significant presence in Balochi popular culture and literature due to its connection with issues related to life and death, and the functions and symbols related to it. Due to its association with the phallus, reproduction, and gestation, the krait has become one of the most important Baloch totems in the field of symbolism. Based on the psychoanalytic theories of Freud and Lacan, the krait totem is, above all, a symbol of the phallus and fertility and gestation, and it is an ancient sign of the problem of monogamy, reproduction, and the awareness of the father's role in it. This totem is the crystallization of fear and hope, desire and avoidance.
References
Moradi, H. (2014). The origin of the snake motif in the cultural materials of the third millennium BC in southeastern Iran; a sign of connection with Eilam and Mesopotamia. Archaeological Studies, 7(2), 131-148.
Yaahaghi, M. J. (2011). Culture of myths and stories in Persian literature. Contemporary Culture.
Article Type: پژوهشی اصیل |
Subject:
Folklore
Received: 2022/04/29 | Accepted: 2022/09/11 | Published: 2022/07/14
Received: 2022/04/29 | Accepted: 2022/09/11 | Published: 2022/07/14
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