Animals and humans - legends, myths, fairy tales and others

For the Sorbian/Wendish farmers, the livestock was the most precious possession, which had to be protected above all else. Thus we find in folk belief many trains of thought and regulations on how the farm animals were to be protected. The importance of wild animals, however, can be seen in the customs and earthy nature beliefs of the rural population. The behaviour of animals can be used to predict the weather or give clues about the course of the harvest year. So it is not unusual to find many animals in peasant wisdom, in village rules of behaviour or in myths, which often contain a real background or a grain of truth. Many rules, codes of conduct and myths have shaped people's minds for centuries. In this exhibition we would like to present them.