Заклятие смехом: Опыт истолкования языческих ритуальных традиций восточных славян

This monograph deals with one of the oldest and most mysterious phenomena of culture, ritual laughter. What was the origin of this ritual? How does this ritual affect the psyche? Why is ritual laughter closely connected with orgiastic rites of the Slavs, including weddings and funerals? How is laughter-weeping related to movement and sexual arousal? How did ritual laughter, consistently cast out by the Church and secular authorities, survive into succeeding generations. The author addresses these questions, and introduces rare and valuable data on the life style and traditions of pagan Slavs. Comments. Bibliography.