The myth of Krabat

 

 

Myths offer unique insight into the human character and serve as a source of imagination or comfort, when human beings are faced with obvious contradictions.

 

The myth of Krabat is a captivating tale set in the mountain range of Gorjanci or Žumberak and on the banks of Kolpa or Kupa river. The myth was introduced to our region by Monika Bracika, nee Šajatovic.

 

The legend, especially the popular book about Krabat, is very well known in Europe.

 

THE NAME KRABAT means Croat, but we must take into account that all Uskoks from the area of today’s Slovenia (Lower Carniola and especially White Carniola) were also called Krabats. We are not talking exclusively of Croats, but rather of a military regiment of the Military frontier that was referred to by the Germans as „Krabats“. The best description of the name would be "southerners".

 

KRABATS

The title ‘Krabats’ was worn by the solders of the regiment, who fought as cavalrymen for Christianity and the protection of the Habsburg monarchy; ‘Krabat’ in singular stands for Janko Šajatovic or von Schadowitz as well as the character from the novel.

 

THE NOVEL KRABAT

Krabat is a synonym for something special and good; even though the story is interlaced with dark magic, creepy birds and evil millers, the message is that good always conquers evil.

 

MYTH

The legend, the myth and the popular book Krabat are well known across Europe. In Slovenia it was unknown until recently that the myth of Krabat is a legacy of a true person, who had done so much good that people started to attribute him with supernatural powers.

 

THE NOVEL KRABAT IN SLOVENE

The publishing house Mladinska knjiga published a translation of the Otfried Preussler’s novel in 1979. Despite favourable reviews the novel remained largely unknown. People were unaware of the fact that it was about a real person who spent his youth in our lands and wandered around the towns of Crnomelj, Vinica, Otocec and Ljubljana.