THE SYMBOLISM OF SPACE IN THE FUNERAL RITE

OF UKRAINIAN POLISSIA: A HOUSE (KHATA)

Олена Боряк

Doctor of Historical Sciences (Dr. habil), Leading Researcher, State Scientific Center for Protection of Cultural Heritage from Technological Disasters, Kyiv, Ukraine

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9873-6088

E-mail: olena.boriak@gmail.com

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Keywords: soul, life, mythological beliefs, funeral rites, space, lifesemantic oppositions, death, Ukrainian Polissia

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Abstract

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The article examines the symbolism of the spatial realities involved in the funeral rites of the Polissia: icon corner, stove, windowsill (window), table, bench, dizha. The main goal of the research is to summarize information about the inner space of the house, in the coordinates of which special ritual actions related to the invasion of «death» unfold into it, to analyze the dwelling as a space of memorial rites. The analysis of empirical material proved that at a critical moment a new space for the deceased is created in the old space of the house. The next step is symbolic transportation of the space of «this world» into the space of the «other world» and at the same time constructing a new, safe space inside your own house

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