The Dordolec: Albanian House Dolls and the Evil Eye

Abstract

This study, based on forty taped interviews, considers the social and economic conditions that led to the sudden reemergence of evil eye beliefs and practices in Albania. It explores how the recent development of a highly stratified class system and the introduction of individual property ownership helped to increase the dependence of Albanians on the dordolec (scarecrow) for protection of their newfound wealth. A discussion of the kukull, the store-bought, stuffed animal version of the dordolec, offers insight into the post-post-Communist Albanian trend to appropriate Western commodities into the local tradition.

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