by characters that can be described by the same terms. A often occurence among the most popular figures is that they challenge foes to duels (mejdane) no matter if they're tired or wounded. The heroic figure, despite their wounds or troubles, still defeats their enemy because of their sheer combat prowess. Fairies, Dragons and Werewolfs There is also a pre-Islamic element that can be found in Bosniak epic poetry. It is not rare for a fairy (vila) to heal or guide the epic figure through his journeys. This is a trait that Bosniak folk poetry shares with other South Slavic and Slavic national poetries. A good example of this would be the poem "The Mountain Fairies Heal Mujo Hrnjica" (Muja liječe vile planinkinje) where the mountain fairies heal the wounded hero Mujo and help him return home. Except for the fairies being helpful in times of need, there is also a oral tradition in the Krajina region that is connected to the birth of Mujo and Halil Hrnjica. It says that "the mountain fairy nursed them with her milk, from which Mujo received great strength and heroism, and Halil with morning dew, from which he received great beauty." According to tradition, the mountain fairy defended the Kladuša tower and town against the attacks of the invaders along with the inhabitants of Krajina, and thus the mythological being of the fairy stayed with the people. Today the old town is called "Vilinski" (Fairy Town). The dragon is also a prominent figure Bosniak epic poetry. The dragon would usually be a positive figure but could also be portrayed as a negative figure in some instances. In other instances, Đerzelez Alija could be the dragon. Cases of Sibinjanin Janko (John Hunyadi) being portrayed as a fiery werewolf also exist. Gusle Bosniak epic poetry, just like the epic poetry of other Southern Slavs, was accompanied by the Gusle (Lahuta in Albanian). Kosta Hörmann mentions in his collections of epics from the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina during Austro-Hungarian times that he "recognized joy when his Muslim hosts got lost in Gusle made from maple, after which a sonorous howl came from the singer's ringing throat. Songs about heroism and good horses". Milman Parry and Albert Lord also recorded many epic songs that were accompanied by the Gusle in their journeys through Bosnia, Herzegovina, and Montenegro. Notable Characters and events Notable Characters Đerzelez Alija, legendary