The affinity between incest and women’s mutilation in the feminine druze versions of “the maiden without hands”: An international motif in a local context

The article examines the Druze feminine oral versions of “The Maiden without Hands” (ATU 706), focusing on the incest theme. Comparing these versions to Palestinian and Israeli-Arab versions, the article examines the relations between metaphoric expressions and realistic aspects, suggesting viewing the maiden's mutilation as being associated with women's status in Druze society. Whereas incest is a taboo in most cultures, in Druze society, women who are victims of incest are religiously forbidden to marry and pay heavy social prices. Three kinds of sources are used: (1) oral Arabic versions of ATU 706, (2) printed Arabic versions of the persecuted heroine genre, and (3) oral Palestinian personal narratives about family honor murders.