Folklore Fragments Podcast - Episode 27: The Banshee (with Professor Patricia Lysaght)
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- Опубликовано: 30 сен 2024
- The Banshee is a well known supernatural figure in Irish folk tradition. In origin a patron goddess caring for the fortunes of her people, the banshee of folk belief is usually considered to be a harbinger of death, being said to follow certain families from generation to generation. Traditions about her are spread widely throughout the country, and for this episode of the podcast Jonny has the privilege of speaking with Professor Patricia Lysaght, who is the world authority on the topic of the Banshee.
Their discussion takes in the rich array of customs and beliefs concerning her, starting with an exploration of the names by which she is popularly known, before moving on to the ways in which she manifests to the people. Her function as a prognosticator of death in the community, the attitudes to life and death that are expressed through her, and the ways in which ancient ideas and motifs concerning her have survived to the modern day are further explored, with archival audio excerpts supplementing the conversation.
Patricia's book 'The Banshee: The Irish Supernatural Death Messenger' is the authoritative work on the topic, and is available to purchase online: www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchRe…anshee&kn=&isbn=
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The dBabd could be seen washing bloody clothes before a battle
That's how I heard it. It was at the back window and she ceened highly as she moved at high speed up the path Into the orchard and away... next day I learned of a death.
Just found this.. and I'll tell you something.
In 2004 I was out walking my dog, beautiful woods, lovely day. When I was aware of a woman crying. It was awful, forlorn, devastating not wailing. Just absolute sadness.
Young woman sound.
Immediately I called out asking where she was, ( didn't even think about banshee at all) and began following the crying. My dog was agitated but began to think she had been attacked and perhaps the person who had done this was still in the wood.. Every time I got close to the crying it would move, to the side ,behind me.. Just the most heartfelt sadness I have ever heard in my life.. I can still recall the sound. Eventually had to leave my dog was distressed so badly.. the crying moved around me and I had to leave.
Next day my gran died. Still didn't put two and two together.
( by the way I'm English live in england) several years later decided to do family tree, my gran was hard to find..long story she had two registered birth certificates and we had to investigate. No one ever knew anything about her family. Took ages to find she was Irish and her father's name was O'Dwyer. Still never put the banshee with this.. until more years later I was telling someone about this crying and they asked if I was Irish..I'm not but my mother's family is.. Still don't know.. Still recall the sound. And it Still effect my heart with it's desolation when I remember it.
Thank you so much for this fascinating podcast. It made me remember my mother telling me about her family hearing the bansidhe outside their home before the death of a relative at the time of my grandmother’s childhood. This would suggest they also follow families to Canada as well. 😊
Yes - this is so well done. The cuts to stories add such depth to the intellectualizing of these tales.
Keep it up!