Also called Dodole, Perperuna, Peperuda, Paparuda, Dudulya.
The tale
In Serbia, Bulgaria, Macedonia and neighbouring lands, during drought a girl was dressed from head to foot in leaves and led from house to house by other girls singing to the dodola or perperuna. At each house the woman of the home poured water over her so that rain would fall, and gave the singers gifts. Vuk Karadžić recorded these songs in the early nineteenth century. Some scholars link the name Perperuna to Perun, making her his consort, but this is a reconstruction.
When they are met
- summer drought
- the days around midsummer
Staying on their good side
- water poured on the earth
- bread or flour
- eggs or small gifts to the singers
Honouring them, or keeping safe
- Pour a jug of water on dry soil and sing or speak a wish for rain.
- Water plants with care during drought, remembering the rite.
What their tales teach
- praying for rain
- relieving drought
- community care
Symbols
- a girl dressed in greenery
- water poured from buckets
- leaves and flowers
The rite is well documented; the idea of Dodola as Perun's wife is a modern scholarly reconstruction.
Sources
- Vuk Stefanović Karadžić, Srpski rječnik (1818)
- Aleksander Gieysztor, Mitologia Słowian
More Slavic folklore
- Baba Yaga The witch in the hut on hen's legs
- Domovoi The grandfather who lives behind the stove
- Leshy The master of the forest
- Rusalka The maiden of river and birch
- Kikimora The spinner in the dark corner
- Koschei the Deathless The sorcerer whose death is hidden
- Kostroma The straw maiden of spring and summer
- Kolyada The spirit of midwinter carolling