Mendeley TY _ JOUR ID - 1402043143351 TI - A Study and Analysis of Metamorphosis in the Stories and Legends of the Sistan Cultural Region JO - Pazhūhish-i Źabān va Adabiyyāt-i Farsī JA - ES LA - fa SN - 1735-1030 AU - fatemimanesh mohammad AD - ندارم Y1 - 2024 PY - 2024 VL - 72 IS - SP - 111 EP - 143 KW - Metamorphosis KW - mythological motifs KW - Sistan KW - stories KW - legends. DO - N2 -

Indigenous and local tales and legends are among the most enigmatic phenomena in anthropology, brimming with mythological motifs and ancient archetypes. Rooted in each ethnicity's culture, customs, traditions, and environment, these narratives encapsulate one of the most pivotal and significant elements of mythology: metamorphosis, or transformation. This motif manifests in diverse forms across the stories and legends of various cultures and people. Notably, it is a fundamental mythological theme in the stories and legends of the Sistan region, finding reflection in numerous narratives from this area. This study, employing a descriptive-analytical approach, aims to analyze the various types of metamorphosis in the stories and legends of the Sistan cultural region. It further seeks to quantify and qualitatively assess the extent to which these transformations are depicted in these narratives. The findings reveal that Sistani stories and legends predominantly feature two types of metamorphosis: human metamorphosis and the metamorphosis of supernatural beings such as demons or evil spirits. Among these, human metamorphosis exhibits a higher frequency and is more prominently represented in Sistani narratives.

 

Keywords: Metamorphosis, mythological motifs, Sistan, stories, legends.

 

Introduction

Mythologies and mythological tales are phenomena that manifest in diverse forms across various human cultures, encompassing a wide array of subjects. A defining characteristic of these narratives is their supernatural and extraordinary nature, often featuring characters, beings, and events that transcend the ordinary. In essence, mythological stories and narratives are composites of concepts and actions presented in extraordinary ways, aiming to reflect the beliefs and ancient paradigms of humankind. Through these narratives, they serve as a mirror to human desires and aspirations, often unattainable ones, which are sometimes manifested in the form of mythological themes related to metamorphosis or transformation.

Metamorphosis, a fundamental concept in mythology, is equivalent to the English terms "Metamorphoses" and "Transformation." It denotes a change in the outward appearance and the very essence or identity of a phenomenon, brought about by supernatural forces. Such transformations are considered extraordinary in any era and beyond the capabilities of ordinary humans. In such instances, an entity transforms, acquiring a new form that might be physically apparent or involve profound internal changes, granting it powers it previously lacked (Rastgar Fasaei, 138344-43).

Myths employ symbolic and metaphorical language to convey their messages, illuminating the position and role of ancient humans in the cosmos and natural phenomena. Embedded within them is evidence of human contemplation: seeking solutions to their weaknesses and limitations, while simultaneously yearning for perfection and the realization of their hopes and dreams (Soltani and others, 1397: 82). Moreover, these myths serve as codes and symbols, signifying rebirth and fluid vitality, reflecting the imaginations, fantasies, literary pursuits, and thought processes of those who created them (Ghobadi, 1392: 74).

Consequently, the phenomenon of metamorphosis is a theme that emerges from various mythological, psychological, and epistemological motivations in the mythological stories and legends of different regions. It is a pervasive theme in such works. Among these, the stories and legends of the Sistan cultural region exhibit extensive manifestations of metamorphosis or transformation. Metamorphosis is a frequent and multifaceted theme in these narratives, encompassing both human and supernatural beings. As a significant component of the mythological foundation of Sistani indigenous stories and legends, this theme is widely represented. Given its prominence in these narratives, this study employs mythological analysis and a descriptive-analytical approach to investigate the various forms of metamorphosis in Sistani stories and legends. The aim is to analyze the frequency and manner in which these transformations appear in these narratives. Based on the foregoing, the primary research questions are:

  1. What types of metamorphosis are present in Sistani stories and legends?
  2. What are the most significant and prevalent types of metamorphosis in the stories and legends of the Sistan cultural region?

 

Methodology

This paper employs a descriptive-analytical approach to investigate the phenomenon of metamorphosis in the stories and legends of the Sistan cultural region. By examining 144 narratives associated with the Sistan cultural sphere, we collected data on motifs related to metamorphosis. Subsequently, using statistical software such as SPSS and Excel, we conducted quantitative analysis to categorize these motifs based on their frequency and distribution. Furthermore, through content analysis and by consulting various sources in the field of mythology, we have provided a detailed analysis of each type of metamorphosis found in Sistani stories and legends.

 

Findings

Types of Metamorphosis in Sistani Stories and Legends

The findings of this study, based on statistical analysis, reveal two primary categories of metamorphosis in Sistani stories and legends: human metamorphosis and the metamorphosis of supernatural beings.

 

Human Metamorphosis

A total of 136 motifs related to human metamorphosis and transformation were identified in the analyzed narratives. This category can be further divided into two subcategories:

  1. Transformation with preserved human essence: In this type, humans acquire extraordinary abilities while retaining their human nature. Examples include transformations involving beauty, ugliness, age, visibility, or fertility. This subcategory accounts for 109 instances.
  2. Transformation involving a change in essence: In this case, humans transform, changing their form into various animal, inanimate, plant, or natural phenomena. This subcategory comprises 27 instances.

Metamorphosis of Supernatural Beings.

The second category of metamorphosis involves supernatural beings. As depicted in various mythologies, a characteristic feature of supernatural beings is their ability to transform into various forms. This ability empowers them to achieve multiple objectives, such as deceiving humans, aiding others, or concealing their identity. In Sistani narratives, 34 motifs related to the metamorphosis of supernatural beings were identified, primarily involving creatures like Bozlangi (a type of evil spirit), demons, and dragons. Among these, Bozlangi exhibited the highest frequency of transformations with ten instances, followed by demons with seven cases. Other supernatural beings, such as the devil and dragons, had fewer occurrences.

The metamorphosis of supernatural beings in this study can be categorized into six groups: transformation into animals, inanimate objects, plants, humans, natural elements, and other supernatural beings. Based on frequency, the most common transformations were into humans (14 instances) and animals (9 instances).

 

Conclusion

The findings of this research indicate that metamorphosis is a prominent and recurring motif in the stories and legends of the Sistan region, appearing a total of 170 times in the analyzed corpus. A significant portion of these instances, 136, involve human metamorphosis, while 34 pertain to the transformations of supernatural beings.

Our analysis reveals two primary types of human metamorphosis in Sistani narratives. The first type involves individuals acquiring extraordinary abilities while retaining their human essence, such as gaining beauty, youth, invisibility, or fertility. The second type entails a fundamental shift in form, where humans transform into animals, inanimate objects, plants, or natural phenomena. While the former type is more prevalent, accounting for 109 instances, the latter also holds significance with 27 occurrences.

Supernatural beings in Sistani folklore exhibit a diverse range of transformations, including changes into animals, inanimate objects, humans, and natural elements. Beings such as Bozlangi and demons are frequently depicted as undergoing metamorphosis. These transformations often serve purposes such as deception, assistance, or concealment.

The prevalence and variety of metamorphosis in Sistani folklore reflect a deeper culture and worldview. Through these narratives, the people of Sistan seem to express a desire to transcend the limitations of human existence, to conquer mortality, disease, and ignorance about the future. These stories also reveal a longing to explore new worlds and reach beyond the celestial realm. This longing is often intertwined with a belief in supernatural forces and a desire to escape the harsh realities of life. By reimagining the world and altering the nature of its elements, these narratives reflect a desire to harness nature for human benefit.

In essence, the Sistani people, like many other cultures, have used the motif of metamorphosis in their folklore to grapple with profound existential questions and to express their hopes, fears, and aspirations. Through these narratives, they have created a rich and imaginative world that offers both solace and inspiration.

                                                       

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