German is a male spirit who brings rain and hail in Slavic mythology. The positive influence of German may cause rain that can be beneficial to agricultural crops while the negative influence may initiate drought, downpours, or hail.
Rituals
For rituals associated with German, a doll was created to personify him. The doll is usually made of rags, fired clay or dried fruits with distinct representation of the male genitals. The rituals were performed by girls or young women.
In eastern Serbia
When drought occurs, the girls would make a doll and bring it to a river bank. They would bury it near the river or place it in a little casket and left it flow down the river. However, when the rainfall is too much, they would dig out the doll.
In northern Bulgaria
After the rituals for Dodola, the German rituals usually followed. The girls in the village would make a 20 to 50 cm long dolls and arrange it on a slate or little casket. Then, they would decorate it with flowers and bury it with funeral observances. After three, nine, or forty days the girls will dig out the doll and throw in into water.
References
- Janićijević, Jovan (1995) (in Serbian). U znaku Moloha: antropološki ogled o žrtvovanju. Belgrade: Idea.
- Pešikan-Ljuštanović, Ljiljana. "Лутка и обред" (in Serbian). Project Rastko.