Archetype of the “tale of the dead Tsarevna and of the Seven Heroes”.

Vladimir Yakovlevich Propp in his book «The historical roots of the fairy tale» asserts that the above plot is a distant echo of tribal polyandry and is based on the rite of male initiation and subsequent residence of dedicated young men in a special «men’s house» in which they were trained by senior members of the genus in tribal rites and hunting techniques.

In real life this case is recorded by James Fraser in his multi-volume work “The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion” In particular, Fraser wrote of girls living in men’s homes on the islands of Palau, during her service, she must keep the house clean and watch the fire. The men treat her well, and she is not forced to show affection. She lives in a special room at home. She is treated knightly. No young man dares enter her room. She is well supplied with food, young men take care of luxury items for her. Betel nuts and tobacco are brought to her.1