Krabat () is a character in Sorbian folklore, also dubbed the " Wendish

Faust Faust is the protagonist of a classic German legend based on the historical Johann Georg Faust ( 1480–1540). The erudite Faust is highly successful yet dissatisfied with his life, which leads him to make a pact with the Devil at a crossroads ...

". First records of him were mentioned in 1839 minutes of the Akademischen Vereins für lausitzische Geschichte und Sprache, but all writings of the association were lost. The character developed from an evil sorcerer into a folk hero and beneficial trickster in the course of the 19th century.

Analysis

A thorough research of various historical documents established that Krabat was in fact Janko Šajatović (1624–1704), a Croat (Crabat) cavalry commander from Žumberak who came to the north of Germany in 1658 to defend the borders of Christian Europe. After he became known for his military abilities the

Saxon The Saxons ( la, Saxones, german: Sachsen, ang, Seaxan, osx, Sahson, nds, Sassen, nl, Saksen) were a group of Germanic * * * * peoples whose name was given in the early Middle Ages to a large country (Old Saxony, la, Saxonia) near the Nor ...

prince invited him to be in his personal guard. As a reward, as a man of trust, the prince gave him a property in Groß Särchen, where with his knowledge and skills, since he was one of the few literate people in the area which was already inhabited by

Sorbs Sorbs ( hsb, Serbja, dsb, Serby, german: Sorben; also known as Lusatians, Lusatian Serbs and Wends) are a indigenous West Slavic ethnic group predominantly inhabiting the parts of Lusatia located in the German states of Saxony and Brandenbu ...

, he helped people in various ways. He taught them to drain swamps, to build mills, he started farming in that area. A favorite among the nobility and the people, he quickly became a legend, so even after his death, stories about his heroism spread and supernatural powers were attributed to him, which resulted in sagas and legends about him that were an inspiration to many writers. The tale of Krabat's apprenticeship to an evil sorcerer with malefic powers can be classified, in folkloristic studies, as Aarne–Thompson–Uther ATU 325, "

The Sorcerer's Apprentice "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" (german: "Der Zauberlehrling", link=no, italic=no) is a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe written in 1797. The poem is a ballad in 14 stanzas. Story The poem begins as an old magician (fantasy), sorcerer departs his ...

". The folk tale is centered around the area of

Lusatia Lusatia (german: Lausitz, pl, Łużyce, hsb, Łužica, dsb, Łužyca, cs, Lužice, la, Lusatia, rarely also referred to as Sorbia) is a historical region in Central Europe, split between Germany and Poland. Lusatia stretches from the Bóbr ...

, most notably the settlement of Čorny Chołmc (Schwarzkolm), which today is a district of the city of

Hoyerswerda Hoyerswerda () or Wojerecy () is a major district town in the district of Bautzen in the German state of Saxony. It is located in the Sorbian settlement area of Upper Lusatia, a region where some people speak the Sorbian language in addition to G ...

, where Krabat is said to have learned his sorcerous powers. pp. 323-348.

Adaptations

The Krabat story has been adapted into several novels, notably: * '' Mišter Krabat (Master Krabat)'' (1954) by Měrćin Nowak-Njechorński. * '' Čorny młyn (The Black Mill)'' (1968) by

Jurij Brězan Jurij Brězan (9 June 1916 – 12 March 2006) was a German writer. His works, especially the novels, narrative works and children's books, were available in the two languages German and Upper Sorbian. He lived, following its creation during and ...

, on which the film Die Schwarze Mühle was based. * ''

Krabat Krabat () is a character in Sorbian folklore, also dubbed the " Wendish Faust". First records of him were mentioned in 1839 minutes of the Akademischen Vereins für lausitzische Geschichte und Sprache, but all writings of the association were ...

'' (1971) by

Otfried Preußler Otfried Preußler (sometimes spelled as Otfried Preussler; both ; born Otfried Syrowatka; 20 October 1923 – 18 February 2013) was a German literature, German Children's literature, children's books author. More than 50 million copies of his books ...

, which inspired the East German TV film ''Die schwarze Mühle'' ("The Black Mill") (1975), the Czech film Čarodějův učeň (1977) and the German film Krabat (2008). The ''Krabat'' album by German

Goth A Goth is a member of the Goths, a group of East Germanic tribes. Two major political entities of the Goths were: *Visigoths, prominent in Spanish history *Ostrogoths, prominent in Italian history Goth or Goths may also refer to: * Goth (surname) ...

band

ASP Asp may refer to: Places * Asp, part of Densbüren, Aargau, Switzerland * Aspe (''Asp'' in Valencian), Alicante, Spain * Asp Lake, a lake in Minnesota Animals * Asp (fish) * Asp (snake), in antiquity, one of several venomous snakes ** ''Cera ...

is also inspired by this version of the legend.

References

Bibliography

*Jurij Pilk, Adolf Anders, "Der wendische Faust", ''Sächsischer Erzähler. Illustrierte Beilage, Nr. 14'' (1896), reprinted as "Die wendische Faust-Sage", '' Bunte Bilder aus dem Sachsenlande'' vol. 3 (1900), 191–201. * *

Analysis

Adaptations

See also

References

Bibliography

Further reading