Tickling spirits

[Francoise Rosset]

Добрый день, SEELANGers.

During a discussion of a chapter from Ivanits's _Russian Folk Belief_,
a student asked me about the spirits who could tickle one to death.
He wondered where that came from, or what the significance is.
I was stumped. Never thought about it, I guess I just accepted that they
*could* do it.

As it happens, the student next to him is very ticklish.
She let us know that for her, being tickled is well beyond unpleasant, and
that she reacts by getting semi-hysterical, having trouble breathing, and
feeling like she's about to drown. That does put a different complexion on
tickling, but it didn't answer the question.

Thoughts? ideas? Answers?

Thank you all,
-FR


-- 
Françoise Rosset
Chair, Russian and Russian Studies
Wheaton College, Norton MA 02766
office:     508-286-3696
FAX #:     508-286-3640
frosset at wheatonma.edu

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