Baloz

Baloz or bajloz is a sea monster in Albanian mythology.

Etymology

Maximilian Lambertz suggested that the word derived from Italian bailo, the title of the Venetian ambassador to the Ottomans.[1]

Literally, the word seems to have originated from the Turkish word "balyoz" meaning "hammer", probably due to the hammers of war the baloz carried.

Folklore

Baloz (as a character) has been found in many Albanian myths and legends about fighting against the Albanian nobles such as: Muji, Halili, Gjergj Elez Alia and Constantin. The monster is found in the Albanian Songs of the Frontier Warriors.[1]

Detailed descriptions have been found in a collection of Albanian myths named Ancient Albanian Tales (Albanian: Tregime të Moçme Shqiptare)[2] collected and rewritten by Dhimitër Pasko.

Baloz Sedelija was a Slavic warrior in Albanian folklore.[1] Another character was Baloz(i) i Zi.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Robert Elsie; Janice Mathie-Heck (2004). Songs of the Frontier Warriors. Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers. pp. 367–. ISBN 978-0-86516-412-3.
  2. ↑ Kuteli, Mitrush (1987). Tregime të moçme shqiptare. Tirana: Naim Frasheri. Retrieved 2010-07-08.