Yogini and Witches, Isolated Places, Wild Animals, Female Border Figures
Abstract
In the folklore some female figures are related to border situations. Women, less relevant in the social and cultural context, can take a relevant role in the traditional, mythic and religious imagery. These figures are strictly linked to irrational and mystery.The analysis compares a group of tantric semi-deities, called Yogini, with witches: they are both confined in a border condition under the religious and social point of view since they are considered dangerous as well as respectful; they fly (sometimes after a metamorphosis in wild and dangerous birds like), they dance in circle, they turn into terrestrial animals (like snakes and toads) they prefer isolated places and trees. They can live close to cemeteries but they can also be attracted by places where new born children are, in a sort of relation with both birth and death, the limits of human life.
Following a comparison between these two groups that are very far away one from the other some interesting aspects appear: a major characteristic is their ambiguity.
They are positive and negative at the same time, they are dangerous but attractive (being usually beautiful and sensual) and even dangerous because so attractive. They are part of a wild world which clash with a tidy and urbanized world: the first one is inhabited by demons which are not included in the official religious and cultural dimension; in the second one, which considers Yogini and witches as dangerous entities, a rational and male-influenced approach prevails.Downloads
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