Baloz
Sea monster in Albanian mythology
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Baloz or bajloz is a legendary character in Albanian mythology and folklore, who appears as an antagonist of the Albanian legendary heroes. He sometimes is described as a sea monster.
Etymology
Maximilian Lambertz suggested that the word 'Baloz' is derived from Italian bailo, the title of the Venetian ambassador to the Ottomans.[1]
Literally, the word seems to have originated from the Albanian blozë (soot), referring to baloz's armour color. It may also have come from Turkish word "balyoz", meaning "hammer"; this may be 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.
